October 11, 2024

The Queens County Citizen

Complete Canadian News World

Unlike Montreal, the metro is constantly being expanded and improved in this “public transit paradise.”

Unlike Montreal, the metro is constantly being expanded and improved in this "public transit paradise."

Seoul | Unlike the island of Montreal, where no new metro station has been built in 36 years, Seoul has a constantly evolving metro network. And, since every neighborhood wants its own station, it “goes without saying” to extend it.

The Korean capital already has a reputation as a “public transport haven”, but with its integrated real-time management, it wants to become “the best city for mobility in the world”.



The Seoul subway is recognized as the most efficient in the world. It is used by 8 million people per day. Even during peak periods, we travel efficiently in a clean and safe environment enhanced by legendary Korean discipline.

Stephanie Martin

While Mayor Valerie Plante waits for the Pink Line and the Blue Line, in Seoul, by contrast, lines and stations are constantly being added to the network.

Seoul Metro

  • 11 lines
  • 337 resorts
  • 357.9 km
  • 8 million users use it every day
  • Passage: 1400 Korean Won (CA$1.42), slightly more if you're on a long journey
  • Free transfer to any other mode within 10 km up to 30 minutes after the first route
  • The user recharges their transportation card, which is valid in all modes (metro, bus, taxi) and in all cities in Korea. A monthly pass was recently introduced at a cost of 60,000 KRW (CA$60.48).

A 14.7 km line was also under construction in the popular Gangnam district during our visit. “Not to mention expanding the network,” said Andrew Lim, research and innovation attaché at the Quebec office in Seoul. News magazine As part of our mission in South Korea. A few days after our visit the office was upgraded to representative status.



The Seoul subway is recognized as the most efficient in the world. It is used by 8 million people per day. Even during peak periods, we travel efficiently in a clean and safe environment enhanced by legendary Korean discipline.

Stephanie Martin

Strong demand

Demand is strong, agrees Youngjin Yan, head of the Seoul government's Advanced Futuristic Transportation Department. Everyone wants a metro in their neighborhood. “Based on traffic and public demand, we will add lines and stations.” Each new district must also be connected to the network.

Metro is a true underground city where besides the stations, there are shopping aisles with everything you need from clothes to pharmaceuticals to food.



The shopping aisles in Seoul Metro are very busy.

Stephanie Martin

We move efficiently in a clean and safe environment enhanced by legendary Korean discipline. During peak hours, the metro is crowded, but no one is in a rush. And the train is always on time.



The Seoul subway is recognized as the most efficient in the world. It is used by 8 million people per day. Even during peak periods, we travel efficiently in a clean and safe environment enhanced by legendary Korean discipline.

Stephanie Martin

It is the hub of the city's public transportation network, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

“Seoul strives to become the world's best mobility city by surpassing its reputation as a public transportation paradise and innovating for the future.”

Statistics prove it: more than two-thirds of Seoulites use public transportation to get around. In Montreal and Quebec, we're talking about just 16% and 8%.

  • Listen to an interview with Stephanie Martin, municipal affairs journalist at Journal de Québec on the Richard Martineau Show QUB :
Technology to improve traffic

On the surface, the entire city is criss-crossed with cameras and sensors that measure traffic data, which is sent to the Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS) control center. It closely monitors what is happening on the roads in real time to improve traffic flow.



Youngjin On, head of the Seoul government's Advanced Futuristic Transportation Department, introduced the TOPIS control center, which closely monitors what's happening on the roads in real time to improve traffic flow.

Stephanie Martin

The system detects accidents and congestion, changes lane configurations and sends messages to users in real time, informing them of the correct roads.

Therefore, don't be surprised if you receive a ticket after a highway code violation. TOPIS also monitors cars entering the green zone in the city center and automatically fines the owner of a polluting car that enters illegally.



The TOPIS control center closely monitors what is happening on the roads in real time to improve traffic flow.

Stephanie Martin

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