The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) conducted a survey on the citizens’ use of public transport and saw that the total of annual use amounted to 3.4 billion and the average of daily use reached 9.42 million. Both figures surged by 330 million and some 900,000, respectively, compared to that of 2021. Many have concluded that the result verifies the movement of people in their everyday life has been bolstered.

By conjugating the two-year transportation card data of about 640 billion cases from 2021, the city said it has analyzed the use of public transport status followed by the lifting of social distancing.

○ Scope of data collection(2021–2022)
(Bus/Subway) Number of public transport card use in Seoul

Average number of daily public transport use reached 9.42 million last year, while the daily average use in daytime surged by 14% (+70,000)

Compared to 2021, the total number of public transport use in 2022 has soared by 330 million and by 11% (+900,000) in average per day.

In respect to the average number of public transport use per day by month, higher margin of increases than the average has shown in May (16%) and September (22%), when outdoor mask mandate has been lifted.

With regards to the average number of public transport use per day by hour, the margin of increase in public transport use between 10 AM and 5 PM in the post-pandemic era reached 12% on average, resulting in a much higher margin than 7% during rush hour.

4 PM saw the highest margin of increase by 14% (+75,000) on average per day compared to that of the previous year.

Public bus use increased by 130 million and more passengers are taking buses running late into the night

Study shows that the number of public bus use totaled about 1.5 billion last year, which has increased by 9% (+130 million) compared to that of 2021. The average number of use was 4.27 million, which has surged by 9% (+370,000) compared to that of 2021.

※ Total number of intra-city and town shuttle buses increased by 120 million and 8.88 million, respectively, compared to that of 2021.

In particular, the figure in September—when the lifting of the mask mandate was announced—saw a higher margin of increase than the average at 18%.

※ In September, the total number of intra-city and town shuttle buses usage surged by 20% and 9%, respectively.

Following the citywide return to normalcy, the increase range of public bus use between 10 AM and 5 PM was 10% on average, showing a higher margin than 8% during rush hour.

In particular, 4 PM saw the highest margin of increase by 11% (+29,000) on average per day compared to that of the previous year.

In the wake of the extension of last bus hours and expanded operation of late-night buses between 11 PM and 3 AM last year, the total number of public bus use has increased from 78,000 in 2021 to 117,000 in 2022. The figure has soared owing to the fact that many people have taken buses late into the night.

Subway use increased by 2.3x following the lifting of the social distancing mandate

Study shows that the number of subway use in Seoul totaled about 1.9 billion last year, which has increased by 12% (+200 million) compared to that of 2021. The percentage is slightly higher than the bus which is at 9%.

The average number of subway usage per day reached 5.15 million last year. The figure has increased by 12% (+540,000) compared to that of 2021. The figure in September—when the lifting of the mask mandate was announced—saw a higher margin of increase than the average at 26%.

※ The increase range resulted in 21% during the summer holiday season in July and August when people enjoyed the season free of masks in three years.

Following the citywide return to normalcy, the increase range of subway use between 10 AM and 5 PM was 15% on average, showing a higher margin than 7% during rush hour.

In particular, 4 PM saw the highest margin of increase by 16% (+45,000) on average per day compared to that of the previous year.

On the heels of the alleviation of restrictions such as limiting business hours and the extension of last train timings, the total number of subway use between 11 PM and 3 AM has increased by 2.3x from 29,000 in 2021 to 67,000 in 2022.

 

• Average of 1.23 transfers per day and maximum of 58 different modes of transport in one day

  Study shows that Seoul citizens have made an average of 1.23 transfers on average per day. The duration of bus trips lasted 13 minutes, riding 3.3 km on average, whereas subway trips lasted 36 minutes, traveling 13.8 km on average.

  The study results also demonstrate that some citizens have taken 58 different modes of transport, traveled 132 km, and ridden 7 hours at the most in one day.

  • Passenger A took 58 different modes of transport from 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Passenger B made 4 transfers, traveling a total of 132 km from Haengun-dong, Gwanak-gu to Gunpo, then Dongjak-gu, and Seongnam, then Gangnam-gu, and then to Cheongnyong-dong, Gwanak-gu.
  • Passenger C made 4 transfers, traveling a total of 7 hours from Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu to Seongnam, and Ilsan, and then to Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu.

  More than half of Seoul citizens traveled 10 km or less and those who traveled more than 20 km account for 15.3%.

  ※ 10 km or less (57.6%) > 10 to 20 km (27.0%) > more than 20 km (15.3%)

  Types of passengers range from general (81.6%) to elderly (10.4%), adolescent (4.1%), children (1.9%), and the disabled (1.7%).

  Meanwhile, the city is slated to further analyze traffic flow of public transport, status of registered vehicles, and travel speed of vehicles.

  An SMG official commented, “As we proceed with the citywide return to normalcy, we have come to the point where we need reformed traffic policies aimed at reinvigorating public transport. Seoul is planning to study the public transit status through big data-based analysis. We will do our utmost to build a groundwork for safe and convenient public transport.