Seoul Boosts Public Transport: Subway Services Increased by 20 Runs Amidst Heavy Snowfall

Seoul Boosts Public Transport to Tackle Heavy Snowfall Chaos

Seoul experienced a challenging start to its winter season on Thursday, as significant snowfall blanketed the capital and neighboring areas. The intense weather event, marked by over 5 centimeters of snow falling per hour, created substantial traffic disruptions across central Seoul, leaving numerous vehicles stranded in gridlock. This severe and the season's first major snowfall led to the issuance of emergency disaster advisories for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and parts of Gangwon Province, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.

Swift Response to Commuter Disruptions

In a rapid effort to mitigate the widespread travel chaos, the Seoul metropolitan government initiated immediate actions designed to ease the burden on commuters. During Friday morning's crucial rush hour, an additional 20 subway runs were introduced, substantially augmenting the city's public transit capacity. This strategic increase was implemented to provide much-needed relief from the extensive traffic congestion caused by the heavy snow the preceding night.

Expanded Bus Services and Road Clearances

Complementing the enhancements to the subway system, the metropolitan government also extended its morning peak bus dispatch hours by an additional 30 minutes, thereby offering even more public transportation alternatives for residents. Through diligent efforts overnight, all road closures, which had been put in place due to the hazardous weather conditions, were successfully lifted. This cleared the way for a more manageable, though still potentially challenging, morning commute across the city.