Jamsil Station on Line 2 has emerged as the busiest station in Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 24 (Korea Bizwire) – In a city known for its extensive and efficient subway system, Jamsil Station on Line 2 has emerged as the busiest station in Seoul, with an average of approximately 160,000 passengers boarding or disembarking daily, according to data released by the Seoul Metro on May 23.
Seoul Metro’s analysis of passenger traffic across all nine subway lines from January to April revealed that Jamsil Station topped the list, with an average of 155,229 passengers per day. Gangnam Station, a perennial contender for the busiest stop, came in second with 151,607 daily passengers.
Interestingly, the rankings have shifted from the same period last year, when Gangnam Station held the top spot with an average of 159,000 daily passengers, followed by Jamsil Station with 149,951 passengers.
Both Gangnam and Jamsil stations have long been among the busiest due to their prime locations and the convenience they offer commuters seeking to avoid Seoul’s notorious traffic congestion. However, the surge in popularity of professional baseball games and an increase in foreign tourist numbers are believed to have contributed to Jamsil Station’s ascent to the top spot this year.
Following Jamsil and Gangnam, Hongdae Station (147,356 daily passengers), Guro Digital Complex Station (106,564), Seoul Station on Line 1 (105,265), Sillim Station (103,582), and Samseong Station (101,475) rounded out the list of stations with over 100,000 average daily passengers during the first four months of the year.
Jamsil Station (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Dunchon Oryun Station on Line 9 recorded the lowest passenger traffic, with a mere 1,465 average daily passengers. This station’s low ridership is likely due to its location between Olympic Park Station and Central Veterans Hospital Station, where express trains do not stop.
Overall, Seoul Metro recorded an average of 8,807,236 daily passengers across all lines during the January-April period.
Notably, the number of free rides taken by seniors, individuals with disabilities, and national merit holders totaled 91,625,735 during this period, translating to a fare value exceeding 120 billion won. This figure represents an increase from the same period last year (85,703,236 free rides), reflecting Seoul’s aging population.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
