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South Korea: Operator-wise annual ridership trend on Seoul Metro [free access]

The Seoul Metro network comprises nine lines, which collectively span around 340 km and cover over 300 stations. Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are operated by Seoul Metro, which is a joint venture (JV) of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation (which operates Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4) and the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation (which operates Lines 5, 6, 7, and 8). The JV was formed in May 2017. Line 9 is operated by the JV of France-based Transdev and RATP; it opened in 2009.

Annual ridership on Lines 1 to 4 has fluctuated during the ten-year period (2009–2019), declining to around 913.95 million passengers in 2017. In 2017, the monthly ridership fell drastically, to 6.12 million passengers in November, a 92.85 per cent decline from its value in January. Annual ridership on Lines 5 to 8 also fell by 12.8 per cent in 2017 over 2016.

The following table provides details of the annual ridership trend on Seoul Metro during 2009–2019.

Table: Seoul Metro annual ridership during 2009–2019 

Note: * Data till March 2019 is included, ^Data available from October 2009

Source: Railroad Industry Information Center (KRIC)