'19 Minutes from Suseo to Dongtan' GTX Ride Takes 3-6 Minutes to Reach Platform

#. On the monitor inside the train of the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line A, the speed measurement numbers gradually increased and exceeded 170 km/h. Although there was some shaking felt on the quasi-high-speed electric train boasting a top speed of 198 km/h, it was not excessive. It took just over 7 minutes to arrive from Suseo Station to Seongnam Station.

On the 30th, the train on the Suseo~Dongtan section of the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) Line A, which will open, is undergoing a test run with reporters and related personnel on board to check the interior facilities, operation information, and boarding experience. / Photo by Noh Kyung-jo

With the early opening of the GTX Line A Suseo~Dongtan section (34.9 km) scheduled for the 30th, finishing touches were underway at each station, including Suseo Station, Seongnam Station, and Dongtan Station.

At Suseo Station, a promotional center was set up on one side. It featured a space where visitors could experience the actual sense of speed through seats and videos, as well as explanatory panels about GTX Lines A, B, and C. To board the GTX, passengers had to go down to the platform on the 4th basement floor. It took over 2 minutes from the integrated concourse. Considering transfers to Subway Line 3 and the Bundang Line, 16 escalators and 9 elevators were installed.

Park Jin-yong, head of the GTX project team at the Korea Rail Network Authority, said, "Since many passengers are expected to transfer from Line 3, we pushed the ticket gates backward to secure space for passengers coming from the inner passage and added one more escalator. We will also deploy enough safety personnel."

The next station, GTX Seongnam Station, was impressive with its nursing room and naturally lit ceiling inside the station. It took just over 6 minutes to get from Exit 2 outside to the platform. Although escalators were used, no running or walking was done. The platform is located on the 3rd basement floor, with 5 entrances and exits, and 46 escalators and 10 elevators available.

The Rail Network Authority explained that since Seongnam Station was built in a residential area, a new bus stop was established near Exit 5 to reduce congestion at entrances and exits and improve access to connecting transportation. Seongnam City also allocated additional bus routes.

The ticket gate inside Seongnam Station on the Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line A / Photo by Noh Kyung-jo

Riding the GTX from Seongnam Station, passing the still incomplete Guseong Station, to Dongtan Station took about 11 minutes. It took about 6 minutes to exit through Exit 1 after changing escalators four times at the platform located on the 6th basement floor. Upon exiting, the 'Dongtan Station Lotte Castle,' recently traded for 2.2 billion KRW due to the GTX opening boom, could be seen.

The time spent using the stations did not feel as long as expected. Especially at Seongnam Station and others, the escalators were segmented, which felt different from using a long escalator all at once when going to the airport railroad from Seoul Station. However, since the measured time was taken when there were not many people, it will inevitably take longer during rush hours when passengers crowd. Also, the situation changes if an escalator breaks down. The Rail Network Authority stated that the 100% congestion rate per GTX train set is estimated at 1,062 passengers, and 130% at 1,286 passengers.

The currently under-construction Guseong Station is expected to be available for use around the end of June this year. Construction was delayed due to unexpected ground conditions. After completion, since one more stop will be added, the train operation time for the Suseo~Dongtan section is expected to increase from the current 19 minutes to about 21 minutes.

Meanwhile, the GTX Line A Suseo~Dongtan section can be used for 4,450 KRW, and the Suseo~Seongnam section for 3,450 KRW. Compared to the fare for the Suseo~Dongtan section via the Suseo high-speed train (SRT) at 7,400 KRW, it is 2,950 KRW cheaper. With the K-Pass discount applied, the general fare is 3,560 KRW.