Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KAMAKAZI]

Anyone notice this? I just seen today that on the last car of a train on line 3, they have the seats removed and just installed railings on both sides for bikes . Now there are people lines up on both sides leaning and sitting the the metal bars coz the seats are gone. Waste of space and leaves us standing or fighting the ajumas for a seat

What the hell Seoul Metro???

[Xuanzang]

[byrddogs]

That's awesome. I sold my car recently and will have to take the stupid subway again at some point. I'm an avid biker; good to hear although after moving from Apkujung I have no need to take that line anymore.

[fermentation]

We'll see how it plays but doesn't seem like too bad of an idea. There are people who take their bikes in and take up a bunch of space, but if they live far from a biking area, what choice do they have. Remember, this is only a trial. If it's not worth it, they plan to do away with it.

[KAMAKAZI]

[fermentation]

[climber159]

I recall reading in the Korea Times and the Korea Herald that is a trial run of having bikes on the subways. They're testing it out on the lines that run near popular cycling destinations. Personally, I think it's a great idea for the weekends. But, for the cyclist-commuters a folding bike is better to avoid the trains and platforms from becoming even more cluttered.

[OiGirl]

I have a lifelong pass to take a bike on a certain commuter railroad in the US. It's not uncommon.

[Bailsibub]

Definitely a move in the right direction....

I think few would disagree that Seoul has way too many cars on the roads and pollution problems for things to continue the way they have been going.

The way I see it, if the Seoul government creates a better cycling infrastructure, more people will choose cycling over taking a train...so that extra space for bikes on subway cars won't be a problem.

And something like this will make many people who live in the areas surrounding the city choose to get in town by bike. They might ride the train in the faster areas with fewer commuters and stops, then get off the train and ride where things get congested... much better than if they just chose to forget the (faster, cleaner, and healthier) cycling option and ride the train or bus the whole way!

It's a win-win situation for everyone. More people will choose to commute by bike if much of their distance is cut out, leading to fewer train/bus commuters. And train/bus commuters get more empty seats in the really congested parts of the system. Oh yeah, and there'll be fewer cars contributing to Seoul's gridlock.

Just so you all know, bikes are allowed on the subway on certain days at certain times. And this will expand in the next few years as more and more people choose to use bicycles.

[ThingsComeAround]

Happened to myself and a friend when we were leaving Itaewon on line 6.

I'm thrilled about this latest endeavor. More bikes could mean fewer cars on the road. And Korea needs more mass transit, not more roads (the latter of which are being built, anyway )

[Xuanzang]