Seoul Metro

Name

Seoul Metro

Legal name

Seoul Metro Corporation (서울교통공사)

Website

https://seoulmetro.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Rail Transit Services

NAICS

Urban Transit Systems (48511), Rail Transportation (482), Commuter Rail Systems (485112)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Metro/Subway Operators (THAIABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heavy Rail Metro/Subway Operators (Grade-Separated) (TLAFAEAA), Metro/Urban Rail Operators (Integrated Multimodal Agencies) (TLAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Urban rail transit
• Subway operations
• Metro rail services
• Public transportation
• Rail maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongdong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fare Revenue: Primary revenue from subway ridership fares collected via T-money card and single-use tickets at station gates across Lines 1-8. Revenue is supplemented by free-rider surcharge penalties (부가운임).
2. Advertising Facilities: Revenue from in-station and in-train advertising spaces and facilities.
3. Convenience Facility Management: Revenue from subsidiary operations including station retail spaces (역구내상가), convenience equipment (무인편의기기), luggage storage (또타스토리지), lockers (또타라커), transfer parking (환승주차장), and cultural spaces.
4. Contracted Line Operations: Revenue from operating externally contracted rail lines including Seohae Line (소사원시) under a 20-year O&M contract (2,805 billion KRW contract signed 2017-09-01) and future Gimpo Gold Line operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Seoul Metro operates urban rail transit (subway) services across Lines 1-8 in the Seoul metropolitan area, covering approximately 300+ km of network with 277 stations. The core offering is passenger rail transportation, supplemented by station retail and convenience facilities, advertising, contracted line operations (e.g., Seohae Line O&M), and digital passenger services (Ttotta mobile app, real-time train information, delay certificates). Revenue is primarily collected through T-money card fares at station gates.

Product overview

Seoul Metro (서울교통공사) operates as a unified urban railway operator managing Lines 1-8 across Seoul, covering approximately 300+ km with 277 stations. The product portfolio centers on core transit operations (train scheduling, real-time tracking, station management) enhanced by digital passenger services including the 또타앱 mobile app, cyber station information portal, and real-time train operation systems. Supplementary offerings include station commercial spaces (상생플러스+), luggage storage services (또타스토리지), and the 안전환경 integrated safety management platform. The company also operates the 공감메트로 webzine for public engagement and citizen participation programs. Services are accessible through multiple channels including the main website, mobile app, in-station kiosks, and social media platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ttota (또타): Mascot character and mobile app name for Seoul Metro, replacing the previous 'Subway Safety Guardian' app.

Products and services

• Seoul Metro Lines 1-8 Urban Rail Transit Operations Core passenger rail transportation service across Lines 1-8 covering approximately 300+ km with 277 stations in the Seoul metropolitan area. Riders access the subway via T-money card and single-use tickets at station gates. Reduced fares available for students, children, disabled, and senior citizens.
• Seohae Line (서해선) Soo-Sa to WonSi Section Operations Contracted operation and maintenance of the 23.3 km Seohae Line first phase (Soo-Sa to WonSi) with 12 stations across Bucheon, Siheung, and Ansan, operated under a 20-year O&M contract (2,805 billion KRW, signed 2017-09-01). Features CBTC signaling and geothermal HVAC.
• 또타앱 (Ttotta App) Mobile Service Citizen-facing mobile application providing real-time subway information, station navigation, train schedules, delay notifications, delay certificates, and safety alerts for Seoul Metro Lines 1-8.
• Station Retail and Convenience Facilities (역구내상가, 무인편의기기) In-station retail spaces, unmanned convenience equipment, and subsidiary commercial operations (상생플러스+ 공간) at or near Seoul Metro stations, generating supplementary non-fare revenue.
• 또타스토리지 / 또타라커 (Ttotta Storage / T-Locker) Luggage Services Luggage storage, locker, and T-luggage services (또타러기지) at select Seoul Metro stations for travelers and commuters needing to store or transfer belongings while using the subway system.
• 환승주차장 (Transfer Parking / Park-and-Ride) Park-and-ride facilities at designated transfer stations allowing commuters to park vehicles and continue journeys via subway.
• Station and In-Train Advertising Facilities Advertising spaces and facilities in stations and in trains generating advertising revenue for Seoul Metro.
• Real-time Train Operation Information Service Live train tracking system displaying real-time location, arrival times, and operation status for all Seoul Metro lines, accessible via the Ttotta app, official website, and station displays.
• Cyber Station (사이버스테이션) Online station information service providing route maps, timetables, station facilities, and surrounding area guides for all Seoul Metro stations.
• 간편지연증명서 (Simple Delay Certificate) Service Digital service allowing passengers to obtain official delay certificates for train service disruptions, usable for insurance or workplace documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• IoT predictive maintenance system reduced per-failure maintenance time by 34% after 6 months of data analysis
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MBC 에브리원 / MBC 플러스 (MBC Everywin / MBC Plus)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 May 2018Business agreement signed between Seoul Metro and MBC Plus covering promotional content production, promotional ambassador appointment, and collaborative media projects. The MBC entertainment program '어서와 한국은 처음이지?' MC team (Kim Jun-hyun, Shin A-young, Dindane, Alberto Mondi) appointed as official Seoul Metro promotional ambassadors under this agreement.
• 서울교통공사 자회사 소사원시운영 주식회사 (SooSa-WonSi Operations Co., Ltd.)coreOthers · 27 December 2017Wholly-owned subsidiary established by Seoul Metro to operate and maintain the Seohae Line (Soo-Sa to WonSi section). The subsidiary was incorporated on December 27, 2017 following Seoul Metropolitan Government's approval, operating independently but under Seoul Metro's management for the 20-year O&M contract.
• 이레일 (Irail Co., Ltd.)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 April 2017Irail was the private-sector implementing partner (시행사) for the Seohae Line construction under the Act on Private Participation in Social Infrastructure. Seoul Metro's subsidiary SooSa-WonSi Operations was awarded the 20-year O&M contract (valued at 2,805 billion KRW) for Seohae Line, in partnership with Irail.
• 한국철도시설공단 (Korea Rail Network Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorea Rail Network Authority (KNR) serves as the project management authority (사업관리청) for the Seohae Line construction project, overseeing civil works in partnership with Irail and coordinating with Seoul Metro's subsidiary for station operations.
• 서부광역철도 (West Coast Metropolitan Railway Co., Ltd.)minorOthersWest Coast Metropolitan Railway Co., Ltd. is the railway vehicle operating entity for Seohae Line, with Korail (한국철도공사) serving as the de facto operations operator. Seoul Metro's subsidiary handles station and facility management, while West Coast/Korail manages train operations.
• Barcelona TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeoul Metro's agreement and benchmarking visits with Barcelona's public transit operator TMB as part of its international network building and knowledge exchange for global expansion.
• 서울시메트로9호선 (Seoul Metro Line 9)minorOthersRelated organization — Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation is a separate entity from Seoul Metro, and is listed as a related organization on Seoul Metro's website navigation.
• 한국철도공사 코레일 (Korail)minorOthersKorea Railroad Corporation (Korail) — a related government-owned rail operator. Listed as a related organization. Seohae Line train operations involve Korail as the train operations entity, separate from Seoul Metro's station management role.
• 경기도 고양시 / 고양국제꽃박람회组委会 (Goyang City / International Flower Festival Organizing Committee)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for the 2018 Goyang International Flower Festival — joint flower distribution event held at Metro Line 5 Gwanghwamun Station on April 18, 2018 to promote both the festival and subway safety awareness.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shanghai Metro: Shanghai Metro operates one of the world's longest urban rail networks as a municipal government entity. Comparable to Seoul Metro in public ownership, network scale, and integration with adjacent real estate and commercial development.
• MTR Corporation: MTR operates Hong Kong's urban rail network and is a globally recognized model for combining rail operations with property development. Its rail-plus-property model is conceptually adjacent to Seoul Metro's adjacent commercial development strategy around stations.
• Tokyo Metro: Tokyo Metro is one of the world's largest urban subway operators, running 13 lines across central Tokyo with comparable daily ridership scale to Seoul Metro. Both are government-affiliated mega-operators with proprietary technology stacks and contracted operating subsidiaries.
• Beijing Subway (Beijing Metro): Beijing Subway is the world's largest metro system by ridership and network length, operated by municipal government-affiliated entities. Directly comparable to Seoul Metro in scale, public ownership structure, and rapid network expansion into surrounding provinces.
• Guangzhou Metro: Guangzhou Metro operates a large-scale urban rail system as a municipal entity with similar government ownership, fare-plus-adjacent revenue mix, and rapid expansion into surrounding metropolitan areas.
• SMRT Corporation (Singapore): SMRT operates Singapore's mass rapid transit and bus networks under government ownership, providing a comparable model of urban rail operations combined with engineering and ancillary services. Both serve dense Asian metropolitan markets.
• BART (San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit): BART operates a regional heavy rail metro system across the San Francisco Bay Area under a public agency structure with a comparable mix of fare revenue, government subsidy, and adjacent real estate development around stations.

Broad incumbents

• Transport for London (TfL) - London Underground: Transport for London operates the London Underground as part of a broader public transport portfolio under governmental oversight. Comparable in scale, public ownership structure, and integration of farebox revenue with advertising, retail, and property income.
• Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation): Korea's national rail operator and a related government-owned entity that operates intercity, commuter, and the Seohae Line train operations alongside Seoul Metro's station management. Comparable as a domestic government rail incumbent with overlapping service territory.

Regional players

• Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation: Seoul Metro Line 9 is a separate municipal operator running Line 9 across Seoul. It is a direct substitute service in the same geography and is explicitly listed as a related organization alongside Seoul Metro, providing the most localized competitive comparison.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/seoul_metro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SeoulMetro
• Facebookfacebook.com/SeoulMetro
• Instagraminstagram.com/seoulmetro.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seoul-metro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seoul Metro