A South Korean train conductor caused significant disruptions to Seoul’s Subway Line 2 when he unexpectedly stepped off the train to use the restroom. Despite the availability of on-board toilets designed to prevent such issues, the staff member chose to disembark at a station and use the facilities there. His break lasted only four minutes and sixteen seconds, but it led to major delays.
This brief, unscheduled stop led to delays for 125 subsequent trains, all of which had to be rescheduled. According to reports, these trains were delayed by more than 20 minutes compared to their usual timetables.
“Officials of the Seoul Metro were quoted in local media reports as saying, ‘The 125 trains following it had to be rescheduled and many of them were delayed 20 minutes from their originally scheduled arrival times,'” highlighting the extent of the disruption.
The incident occurred on Seoul Subway Line 2, which is the busiest of the city’s 23 rapid transit, light metro, commuter rail, and people mover lines. This serves as a reminder of how even small disruptions can cascade into widespread delays on heavily trafficked routes.
