Incheon Urban Railroad Line 1 Geomdan Extension, First Operation Starts on 28th
The Incheon Urban Railroad Line 1 Geomdan Extension will begin full operation starting with its first train on the morning of the 28th.
The first train will depart from Geomdan Lake Park towards Gyeyang at 5:30 AM, significantly improving transportation convenience for the residents of the Geomdan area.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Incheon City announced on the 27th that a ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Incheon Urban Railroad Line 1 Geomdan Extension will be held at the Shin Geomdan Central Station. This newly opened Geomdan Extension is part of the metropolitan traffic improvement plan for the Incheon Geomdan New Town, completed after 5 years since construction began in December 2019.
5-Year Completion
With a total length of 6.8 km and an investment of 790 billion won, this line starts from Gyeyang Station and includes three newly established stations: Ara Station, Shin Geomdan Central Station, and Geomdan Lake Park Station.
In particular, Gyeyang Station serves as a transfer station where Incheon Line 1 meets the Airport Railroad, which is expected to greatly enhance access to Seoul for the residents of the Geomdan area.
Commute Time Reduced by Over 30 Minutes, Improved Access to Seoul
Previously, it took 40 minutes by bus and 20 minutes by car to travel from Geomdan to Gyeyang Station. However, with the opening of the Geomdan Extension, the travel time has now been reduced to just 8 minutes.
As a result, commuting times are expected to decrease by more than 30 minutes, and it will also be possible to reach Seoul Station in just 38 minutes, significantly improving access to the heart of Seoul.
The trains operating on the Geomdan Extension are commuter trains (operated by one person), with each set consisting of 8 cars capable of carrying 970 passengers (1,455 passengers at 150% congestion).
Like other urban railways, a unified fare system for the capital region will apply, operating an average distance of 2.26 km between stations at an average speed of 48 km/h, making the total travel time 8 minutes.
Congestion Management and Integrated Transportation System
The Metropolitan Transport Committee, Incheon City, Incheon Transportation Corporation, and the Airport Railroad have formed a congestion management task force (TF) and prepared various measures in anticipation of the opening.
To prevent safety accidents during commuting hours, 34 safety management personnel will be deployed at major stations, such as Gyeyang Station, to provide guidance on boarding and alighting and ensure safe passage.
In anticipation of increased transfer passengers at Gyeyang Station, two new transfer gates have been added, and transfer guidance signs and pathways have been updated. Additionally, emergency response systems have been established in cooperation with relevant agencies, such as police and fire services, to prepare for unexpected incidents.
In anticipation of increased congestion at Gyeyang Station, the Airport Railroad line plans to introduce 9 new trains by the end of this year.
Moreover, to improve accessibility for residents of Geomdan New Town, two city bus routes (991, 9902, a total of 13 buses) have been established, operating 19 routes of urban and metropolitan buses (total of 168 buses) passing through the station.
Kang Hee-eop, Chairman of the Metropolitan Transport Committee, stated, "With this opening, commute times will be reduced by over 30 minutes, and accessibility to urban centers like Seoul Station will improve, dramatically enhancing transportation convenience in the Geomdan area." He also emphasized that safety issues will be monitored closely after the opening.
Image Source: Geomdan Extension. / Photo provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, News1.
