The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) rolled out the nation’s first-ever night bus service in 2013, which has since served as a major mode of late-night public transit with an annual ridership of 3.1 million and a cumulative ridership of 28 million. Starting Mon, Apr. 18, the city will gradually reorganize its citywide night bus service operation, expanding the current 9 routes and 72 rides to 14 routes and 100 rides.

Seoul introduced its citywide night bus service to improve citizens’ convenience, safety and welfare during late night and early morning hours when public transit, including bus and subway services, is limited. It provides essential assistance for mobility, such as commuting to work and returning home, to citizens from office workers and students to nighttime chauffeurs, small business owners and sanitation workers while also contributing to revitalizing the local economy by supporting round-the-clock urban economics.

Seoul carried out a detailed analysis, such as identifying the city’s late-night floating population and movement using big data of about 200 million telecommunications and transportation card records, prior to reviewing the expansion of its citywide night bus service regarding the scope of application to certain regions. As a result of big data analysis, late-night floating population saw about 342,000 people from 12 AM to 4 AM, indicating a high demand for transit in major commercial and business areas. Accordingly, the city established six new routes with the same card fare at KRW 2,150 with free transfers within one hour between routes.

Seoul provides real-time night bus service information on its Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS) website and mobile app as well as at bus information terminals (BIT) at bus stops. The new and expanded night bus service will start operating in stages on Mon, Apr. 18 and Sun, May 1. Seoul will continue to manage and operate the expanded night bus service to improve inconveniences by monitoring ridership and operation conditions. Detailed information on the night bus service routes and hours can be found on the TOPIS website and mobile app.