Extension to follow the 'Flat Transfer' principle... No more 'Direct Connection Extensions' without financial burden
Seoul Metro faces difficulty bearing additional costs after over 1 trillion won net loss last year
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that future urban rail and metropolitan rail extensions will be based on flat transfers rather than direct through-operation.
Until now, Seoul has operated direct extensions of lines outside the Seoul city limits through Seoul Metro. The city has been responsible for the metropolitan transportation system by managing not only the main lines within Seoul but also extensions outside the city limits, such as the Line 7 extension to Bupyeong-gu Office and the Line 5 extension to Hanam. However, Seoul Metro has been facing operational difficulties due to severe financial deficits, lukewarm responsibility sharing from local governments, and additional demands for direct extensions.
Accordingly, on the 9th, Seoul announced a principle for urban rail and metropolitan rail extensions, establishing that lines outside the Seoul city limits will be based on ‘flat transfers’ rather than ‘direct extensions.’ This aims to provide safer and more unified rail services.
Many countries worldwide, including Germany, China, France, Spain, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom, have generally adopted a flat transfer structure for suburban and intersecting subway lines. Flat transfers allow passengers to transfer directly across the platform without using stairs or escalators. This enables passengers to transfer quickly without the inconvenience of long walks, and in case of vehicle malfunctions, flat transfers help prevent delays across the entire line, reducing operational risks caused by breakdowns.
Additionally, flat transfers significantly reduce fatigue caused by extended driving hours and long shifts, thereby enhancing safety. For example, Line 7 will become the longest urban rail line, extending approximately 106 km into Gyeonggi and Incheon regions. Long driving hours increase the risk of overwork and labor disputes, but flat transfers can contribute to improving working conditions for employees.
Seoul plans to operate the metropolitan rail network more smoothly by enhancing transfer convenience and safety rather than unconditionally pursuing direct extensions that could degrade service or cause unnecessary conflicts between local governments.
Under this flat transfer principle, Seoul will promote the establishment of essential facilities and systems for safe operation in advance, as well as strengthen financial burdens and responsibilities of related local governments and agencies. This principle will apply to all new rail projects connected to Seoul in the future, and ‘direct extensions’ will only be considered if they comply with Seoul’s operational principles.
Furthermore, Seoul Metro, the city’s rail operator, will focus solely on operating lines within Seoul for new routes. Hwang Bo-yeon, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, “To provide high-quality transportation services, it is necessary to introduce flat transfers, which have proven operational advantages such as convenience and effectiveness, rather than unconditional direct extensions.” He added, “We will strive to build a more effective rail system to facilitate the mobility of metropolitan citizens, especially during commuting hours.”
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