Another feature that often attracts international attention is the complimentary wide area Wi-Fi coverage with the help of major South Korean telecom providers such as SKT and KT, which have teamed up with Seoul Metro to provide free Wi-Fi coverage for their customers during their train journeys. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, July 31 (Korea Bizwire) – Seoul’s subway system continues to receive praise from international media outlets over a number of features including its efficient payment system and wide internet coverage.
Seoul Metro said on Sunday that TripAdvisor, one of the largest international travel websites, recommended its users last year to take the subway if they visit Seoul, as with one public transport card, passengers can transfer between all of the subway lines without additional charges and have the ticket machine calculate the fare.
Another feature that often attracts international attention is the complimentary wide area Wi-Fi coverage with the help of major South Korean telecom providers such as SKT and KT, which have teamed up with Seoul Metro to provide free Wi-Fi coverage for their customers during their train journeys.
In 2013, the BBC compared the London Underground with subway systems in other countries around the world, calling Seoul’s subway Wi-Fi system one of the world’s best.
Similarly, CNN also covered the subway system in the South Korean capital, with a focus on the free wireless internet coverage.
The significant number of escalators and elevators that are found in and around subway stations in Seoul have been also pointed out as part of what makes Seoul’s subway system outstanding, with nearly nine in ten stations equipped with at least one type of vertical transportation.
Last month, American online media Mic also reported on Seoul’s subway system, calling it ‘the future of transportation’, amid criticism that has mounted in recent years over the lack of effort to improve public transit infrastructure in the U.S.
“Earlier this month, the London Underground announced plans to invest 150 billion won into building infrastructure to increase elderly and handicapped-accessible stations, from 26 percent to 40 percent. Seoul has three times more (elderly and handicapped-friendly) stations.”
American tourist website Wander Wisdom selected Seoul’s subway as one of the four most impressive in Asia, while also making note of the system’s variable temperature subway cars, allowing users to choose a cooler or warmer carriage.
Seoul’s subway system continues to receive praise from international media outlets over a number of features including its efficient payment system and wide internet coverage. (Image: Kobiz Media)
Platform screen doors, which began appearing around 2009 in Seoul’s subway system, are also commonly mentioned by media outlets.
In 2015, Business Insider praised platform screen doors at subway stations in South Korea, which were installed to improve safety and block noise.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
