Thread by @jackwgreenberg

#Trams were once the backbone of #Seoul's #publictransit system. The 1st launched on #Buddha's Bday in 1899 by Gojung, & the last ran Nov 30, 1968. The network was greatly expanded in the colonial era, & recently track laid in 1927 was uncovered in front of #Gyeongbukgung Palace

This track was in use till ‘66 & buried during the construction of a pedestrian underpass at Sejongro. Seoul’s bulldozer’ Mayor Kim Hyon-ok was responsible for the trams’ demise. The cars were outdated, replacement + track repair was too costly, & the system disrupted traffic.

Track was laid in the middle of the road, which made boarding a nuisance and forced all traffic to a standstill. In its final year, #tram ridership also dropped significantly even as the gov’t barred operators from increasing fares to maintain affordable service 4 passengers

I went to see the tram tracks in the early morning this Saturday, but I’ve been told that they have now been covered up again with tarps. The city is still consulting the public and various civic groups over how they should be preserved.

Another interesting, yet unfortunate, anecdote re. Seoul’s trams is that a 5 year-old child was struck and killed by one of the 9 new cars only five days after Gojong inaugurated the system in 1899. The fury of the citizens was such that they lit the car on fire near Pagoda Park

Have confirmed the #tram #tracks were only visible for a very brief window. Passed by again this morning, and saw that they have been draped with blue tarps. Still caught a decent view of #Gyeongbukgung and #Cheongwadae (#TheBlueHouse) from one of my favorite rooftops though!