Seoul commuters move underground as Iran war sends gas prices soaring

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Seoul commuters move underground as Iran war sends gas prices soaring

Published: 20 Apr. 2026, 12:00 Updated: 20 Apr. 2026, 18:08

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

A notice warning of crowd congestion is seen inside Hongik University Station on subway Line 2 in Mapo District, western Seoul on Oct. 27, 2023. [NEWS1]

Seoul’s subway system, known for its relatively low fares and accessibility, has seen a sharp increase in ridership since the outbreak of the Iran war, as soaring gas prices and government curbs on vehicle use push commuters away from driving.

The average weekly ridership from the beginning of March through to April 14 rose by 10.9 percent or 6.6 million people to 67.1 million people compared to the average in January and February, according to Seoul Metro's data acquired by the Korea JoongAng Daily. The number counts riders on subway lines 1 through 8.

Passengers’ renewed affinity for public transit is not confined to the greater Seoul area.

A Busan resident surnamed Kim rarely drives these days, relying instead on buses and the metro, a cost-saving choice given free subway rides for older adults.

“I used to head out to far-off places like Gijang with friends, but with gas prices up, it’s kind of a burden to ride my own or hop in someone else’s car,” she said. “Now I just meet them near a subway station.”

Seoul Metro said that it had made the decision to extend peak-hour intensive operations by one hour during the morning and evening commuting periods.

The organization in charge of Seoul’s subway system has also added 18 extra train services on Lines 2 and 7, where congestion is particularly high.

Pedestrians make their way through Hongik University Station in Mapo District, western Seoul, on April 17. [FERGUS GOODALL SMITH]

Seoul Metro said there were other factors at play when it came to the ridership increase, citing the end of school vacation periods and seasonal changes.

“We are taking steps to prepare for increased demand and ensure passenger safety,” said a spokesperson at the metro operator.

Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), an international organisation that advocates and encourages public transport and investment in public transport infrastructure, said that the increase was likely to be a “direct impact” of the war in Iran.

Other countries' major cities that have seen such an impact have implemented incentives to encourage public transport use. Melbourne, Australia, for example, has begun providing public transport free of charge in an effort to bring down fuel demand.

“The total cost of private car use can become significantly more visible for drivers,” Mezghani said, “so this can lead to a shift to a more rational and economical choice for many commuters.”

Pedestrians make their way through Hongik University Station in Mapo District, western Seoul, on April 17. [FERGUS GOODALL SMITH]

“The recent increase in ridership shows that the system can absorb additional demand and that people are willing to change their behavior quickly when economic conditions change,” Mezghani went on.

The metro data shows numbers starting to increase further in the opening weeks of April, as gas prices continued to rise, throughout fluctuations dictated by U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts and peace talks.

Still, some say they haven’t made drastic changes to their commuting behavior, yet.

“I drive a compact hybrid, so it doesn't consume that much fuel. Even though I spend around 25 percent more on gas, it is still only around 10,000 to 15,000 won ($7 to $10) a week extra, which is not that crazy,” said one person.

The International Energy Agency says fuel prices will continue to worsen regardless of if the conflict ends tomorrow because of a delayed impact.

Countries are still receiving cargo loaded and shipped before the beginning of the war, but April cargoes are largely still locked in the Gulf.

Korea's central government has already taken steps to ease pressure on public transport during peak times, moving 282,000 older riders, who ride for free, away from commuting hours under a trial basis for the next month.

“At UITP, we often say that oil shocks do not create modal shift, they reveal whether a city is prepared for it. Seoul is prepared,” said Mezghani.

BY FERGUS GOODALL SMITH [[email protected]]