Gimpo Gold Line Congestion Rate 207% in March → 188% in October Decrease

Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee Visits Gimpo Gold Line Vehicle Depot and Inspection Center in Gimpo on the 21st, Reviews Overall Operation and Encourages Officials

The Transportation Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairman Park Jung-hwa, People Power Party, Seongdong 1) visited the Gimpo Gold Line vehicle depot and inspection yard located in Yangju City during the 321st regular session to review the overall operation of the Gimpo Gold Line and encourage the related personnel.

On the 21st, the site visit began with a tour of the comprehensive control room and inspection yard of the Gimpo Gold Line vehicle depot located in the Gimpo area, followed by a briefing on operations, and then boarding the Gimpo Gold Line.

The Gimpo Gold Line runs 23.67 km with 10 stations from Yangchon Station to Gimpo Airport Station. It is operated by Gimpo Gold Line Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Seoul Metro, and currently operates a total of 46 cars in 2-car train sets.

Since April, when two passengers consecutively fainted due to severe overcrowding issues, measures to alleviate congestion have included shortening train intervals and increasing the number of trains during rush hours, deploying emergency medical technicians and safety specialists, and improving facilities and promotional guidance to manage passenger density.

Additionally, Seoul City has eased congestion on the Gimpo Gold Line from 207% in March 2023 to 188% in October 2023 through dedicated bus lanes and increased bus services, and is currently promoting the addition of more trains.

The Transportation Committee members visited the comprehensive control room and inspection yard of the Gimpo Gold Line vehicle depot to directly observe comprehensive control and vehicle inspection.

Through a Q&A session, the committee reviewed overall congestion mitigation measures, unmanned operation issues, train durability, and other current issues related to the Gimpo Gold Line.

In particular, since the average congestion rate reaches 188% against a capacity of 172 passengers, the committee requested management of train durability and, in the long term, measures to alleviate congestion through expansion of other transportation modes until congestion is eased on the Gimpo Gold Line, including consideration of introducing the Hangang River Bus.

Emphasizing safety, the committee stressed that the safety of on-site personnel is the top priority and ordered thorough operational management.

Chairman Park Jung-hwa of the Transportation Committee stated, “It is fortunate to have been able to review the congestion, facility status, and overall operation of the Gimpo Gold Line through this site visit,” adding, “I would like to express my gratitude to the on-site personnel and staff who are working hard to improve transportation convenience for citizens commuting between Seoul and Gimpo.”