Yoon "GTX-A·B·C Extensions and D·E·F New Lines... Promotion of Regional Metropolitan xTX Construction" (Update)

6th People's Livelihood Forum Opening Remarks
Yoon "Will Open the Era of 30-Minute Commute"
Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, TK, Gwangju-Jeonnam, Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong
Solving Commute Issues with xTX Construction
Rapid Promotion of Underground Railroads and Highways

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 25th that the GTX-A, B, and C lines will be expanded, and new D, E, and F lines will be established. He also plans to rapidly underground major highways and railways in the metropolitan area and promote the construction of metropolitan express railroads (xTX) in regional large cities to improve urban transportation issues. President Yoon's vision is to open the '30-minute commute era in the metropolitan area' through improved transportation convenience and to create direct and indirect economic effects.

In his opening remarks at the 6th 'Public Discussion on Livelihood Issues with the People' held at the Uijeongbu City Hall auditorium in the morning, under the theme of '30-minute commute era, resolving transportation disparities,' President Yoon stated, "If transportation is properly established, people can sleep more, spend time on self-development, or most importantly, spend more time with their families."

He reaffirmed his campaign pledge of a '30-minute commute era' during his presidential candidacy, citing the decline in quality of life due to commuting time issues in large metropolitan areas. According to the government, the average commuting time in large metropolitan areas nationwide is about two hours, and based on 20 working days per month, people spend 40 hours monthly on the road.

President Yoon also introduced a specific schedule for the opening of GTX lines. He said, "Starting this year, we will officially open the GTX era. The GTX-C line passing through Uijeongbu will hold a groundbreaking ceremony today and will open by 2028."

He continued, "The A line, which is progressing the fastest, will open the Suseo-Dongtan section in March. The Paju-Seoul Station section will also open by the end of the year," adding, "The B line, connecting Incheon to Namyangju, will begin construction in March and open by 2030."

He also emphasized, "The extensions of the ABC lines will be swiftly promoted. The A line will be extended to Pyeongtaek, the B line to Chuncheon, and the C line will extend north to Dongducheon and south to Cheonan-Asan."

Regarding the GTX-A, B, and C construction plans, he mentioned, "Since local governments will bear the costs for the extensions of the A and C lines, design will commence early next year without preliminary feasibility studies (PFS). For the B line, we will proceed with PFS in consultation with local governments."

He also explained the blueprint for the establishment of the D, E, and F lines. President Yoon said, "The D line will connect Incheon and Gimpo through Gangnam to Namyangju and Wonju in a Y shape; the E line will be constructed from Incheon through northern Seoul to Guri and Namyangju; and the F line will be a metropolitan circular line. These three lines will be incorporated into the national railway network plan first and promoted simultaneously. We will also accept private proposals and pursue rapid progress through private investment projects."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He emphasized the economic effects of completing the GTX on the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Gangwon regions. President Yoon explained, "With the expansion of living zones through GTX, a single super-connected economic metropolitan living zone will be established from the metropolitan area to Chungcheong and Gangwon." He added, "This will create not only commuting convenience but also new investments and jobs." The plan also aims to stabilize the market by revitalizing domestic demand and supplying new housing sites near stations. According to quantitative analysis by the Korea Transport Institute, the direct employment effect of GTX is 500,000 people, and the direct production inducement effect is 75 trillion won.

He also outlined plans to concentrate 11 trillion won in transportation improvement measures in the four major metropolitan areas of the metropolitan region (east, west, south, and north), swiftly mediate conflicts between local governments and institutions, and thoroughly address transportation issues in new towns. President Yoon stated, "We will significantly shorten the construction period for transportation networks in newly developed new towns. Compared to existing new towns, road construction periods will be reduced by two years, and although railway construction takes a long time, we will reduce the railway network construction period from five and a half to eight years."

Since commuting problems are experienced not only in Seoul and the metropolitan area but also in large cities nationwide, there is a plan to build xTX lines with a maximum speed of 180 km/h in regional zones such as Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong), Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK), Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong, and Gwangju-Jeonnam. President Yoon emphasized, "We will start the Daejeon-Sejong-Cheongju CTX, which has been converted to a private investment project, within this year and prepare promotion plans for other lines in consultation with local governments." He stressed, "Through this, regional large metropolitan areas will also develop into mega cities where 30-minute commutes are possible."

Furthermore, President Yoon explained that short-term projects will be pursued within his term to install dedicated bus lanes on main roads, significantly introduce double-decker electric buses, and underground major highways in the metropolitan area such as the metropolitan circular, Gyeongbu, and Gyeongin expressways. He also stated that a comprehensive plan for railway undergrounding will be initiated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]