{
  "id": 7953138,
  "title": "Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/seoul-city-to-hike-han-river-ferry-fares-for-weekends-starting-next",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T05:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260917/seoul-city-to-hike-han-river-ferry-fares-for-weekends-starting-next-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's city government plans to raise ferry fares for its Han River shuttle service on weekends and public holidays next year, aiming to more evenly spread out costs. Presently, the Hangang Bus fare is 3,000 won ($2.17), but it is projected to rise to between 5,000 to 10,000 won during weekends and holidays, the city announced on Thursday, marking the service's first anniversary on Friday. Launched on September 18, 2025, the ferry has transported over 600,000 passengers to major points along the Han River, according to the government. The fare increase is driven by a surge in demand on weekends, as indicated by a city official, who added that a final decision is scheduled for April next year following public hearings. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon mentioned that the city also aims to expand the number of piers and ferries to shorten waiting intervals to 15 minutes and diversify routes by introducing an express service. The city government intends to transform the ferry service into a mode of public transit.",
  "summary": "The Seoul city government said Thursday it seeks to increase fares for its Han River ferry shuttle service on weekends and public holidays next year in a bid to better distribute costs. The \"Hangang Bus\" service fare is expected to rise from the current 3,000 won ($2.17) to around 5,000 to 10,000 won on weekends and holidays next year, the city said, as the service marks its first anniversary…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul to raise Han River ferry fares on weekends and holidays next year.",
    "Fares to increase from 3,000 to 5,000-10,000 won during peak times.",
    "Increase aims to balance costs and handle higher weekend demand."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The planned fare hike for weekend and holiday Han River ferry rides reflects the city's effort to manage surging demand and move toward making the service a regular public transit option.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/seoul-city-to-hike-han-river-ferry-fares-for-weekends-starting-next-7954591",
        "published": "2026-09-17T04:41:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/seoul-city-to-hike-han-river-ferry-fares-for-weekends-starting-next-7955302",
        "published": "2026-09-17T05:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}