Seoul subway caught by crowds
Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul
Seoul commuters had a bit of a shock this week. More commuters and a slower commute. The city’s Line Nine extended five stops. During rush hour alone, so-called congestion capacity reached more than 200 percent, meaning more than 200 people were crammed standing – in each car. Commuters want it fixed.
The Seoul subway ranks among the best in the world. Unlike most of the systems, Line Nine is privatized, with losses compensated by the city, and profits absorbed by corporate investors. Some suggest finances motivated the underestimation of new transit users.
The subway operators and city officials have added staff and buses to deal with overcrowding, but no new trains are planned to come online for Line Nine for a year and a half.
The Seoul subway is already the second largest in the world with more than 300 stations serving 2.6 billion passengers each year. The line 9 extension is just a small part of ambitious plans to provide service to every Seoul resident - within a 10-minute walk of their home.
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