Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Seoul to add rush-hour trains and four express bus routes
From November 16, Seoul will change rush-hour service on subway Line 9 to ease crowding and shorten commutes.
On the line’s inbound direction toward Jungang Veterans Hospital, two express trains will run before one regular train from 5:40 to 7 a.m., instead of alternating one of each.
The city will also start morning intensive service 50 minutes earlier and begin its evening service 30 minutes earlier.
Seoul expects peak average crowding on morning express trains to fall by up to 20.4 percentage points, while the number of morning trains will rise by eight.
The city will also test four express bus routes from outer districts to central Seoul, using routes 150, 370, 470 and 605.
These buses will keep their existing routes but skip some stops, with the city estimating travel times could be about 10% shorter; regular buses will remain available for passengers using skipped stops or travelling short distances.
Each route will run three times a day, and Seoul will review the trial before considering more routes.
Seoul will increase rush-hour service on subway Line 9 and trial four express bus routes from November 16.
The changes aim to reduce crowding and travel times by adjusting existing services rather than adding new vehicles.
On Line 9, two express trains will run consecutively before one regular train on the northbound line from 5:40 a.m. to 7 a.m.
The city expects peak morning express-train crowding to fall by up to 20.4 percentage points.
The four bus routes will connect outer Seoul areas with central districts and run three times a day each.
- Who
- The Seoul Metropolitan Government is changing public transport services for commuters.
- What
- It will increase rush-hour Line 9 service and trial four express bus routes.
- When
- The changes are scheduled to take effect on November 16, 2026.
- Where
- On Seoul subway Line 9 and on bus corridors linking Dobong, Gangdong, Sangam and Gangseo with central areas.
- Why
- To reduce rush-hour crowding and travel times and improve convenience for commuters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Seoul announced its plan to change Line 9 rush-hour operations and trial four express bus routes.
The revised subway service and express bus trials are scheduled to begin.
- Start date
- November 16, 2026
- Line 9 morning service
- Two express trains followed by one regular train from 5:40 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the northbound line
- Bus routes
- Express 150, 370, 470 and 605
- Bus frequency
- Three trips per route each day: one early-morning trip and two morning rush-hour trips
- Expected crowding reduction
- Up to 20.4 percentage points for peak morning express trains
What people are saying
We will improve the efficiency of public transport operations to reduce crowding and travel times.