Opening of Byeollae Line on the 10th of Next Month Raises Safety Concerns Due to Congestion in Seoul Section
Congestion on Line 8 Nears 170% Following Byeollae Line Opening
Meeting with Deputy Mayor Kim Byeongmin to Request Additional Trains and Increased Service
Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, is conveying suggestions to Kim Byung-min, Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, who visited Gangdong-gu on the 11th. Provided by Gangdong-gu.
Gangdong-gu, Seoul announced on the 12th that District Mayor Lee Soo-hee met with Kim Byung-min, Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, on the 11th to request measures to alleviate congestion following the opening of the extension of Subway Line 8 (Byeollae Line), including "increasing the number of Line 8 trains and additional services" and "operating trains starting from Amsa Station."
During the meeting, Mayor Lee emphasized the necessity of easing congestion, stating, "Reducing congestion on Line 8 is a top priority for the safety of residents."
The Byeollae Line is an extension project of Subway Line 8, led by Gyeonggi Province, extending the urban railway Line 8 from the existing Amsa Station in Seoul to Byeollae New Town in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. It is scheduled to open on the 10th of next month.
With the extension of the Byeollae Line, a new station called Amsa Station Park will be established within Gangdong-gu, improving public transportation accessibility for nearby residents and expected to play a significant role in revitalizing the area.
However, as the line passes through three new town stations?Byeollae, Dasan, and Donggureung?there is an anticipated surge in users from the Gyeonggi area, which is expected to exacerbate congestion on Line 8. This has raised concerns that it could become a "second Gimpo Gold Line" situation.
The problem is that even before the opening of the Byeollae Line, Line 8 already experiences severe congestion during morning rush hours. In June, Gangdong-gu conducted an on-site visual survey of train interior congestion during the morning rush hour (8:00 AM to 8:30 AM) at three stations?Amsa, Cheonho, and Gangdong-gu Office stations. The survey observed that at Cheonho and Gangdong-gu Office stations, passengers crowded near the train doors, resulting in "congested areas where shoulders were pressed together" (congestion exceeding 150%).
At some stations, passengers had to struggle to get off the trains. Particularly at Cheonho Station, arriving trains were so full that passengers could not board and had to wait for the next train frequently.
Congestion was also evident on the platforms, which serve as waiting areas. All Line 8 stations have platforms designed relatively small based on the current 6-car train standard, making the situation even more crowded.
Furthermore, according to Gangdong-gu’s own estimates of Line 8 congestion, congestion is expected to reach up to 170% upon the opening of the Byeollae Line. Even assuming about 25% of passengers transfer to Line 5 at Cheonho Station, the number of passengers boarding again at Gangdong-gu Office Station during the 30-minute morning rush is approximately 11,412, resulting in a congestion rate of 169.8%, according to the district.
To prevent a "second Gimpo Gold Line" crisis caused by severe congestion on Line 8, Gangdong-gu is continuously requesting related organizations, including Gyeonggi Province, which oversees the Byeollae Line construction, to actively increase train frequency and add trains starting from Amsa Station. Seoul City is also reviewing various measures together with the district.
However, Gyeonggi Province, the project lead, is shifting responsibility by claiming that congestion is worse in the Seoul section rather than the Gyeonggi section, and has yet to present any concrete measures despite the opening being confirmed for next month. The district is demanding a proactive change in attitude from Gyeonggi Province.
Meanwhile, the district is also making efforts to strengthen public transportation connectivity and create synergy with commercial and cultural facilities in the area following the opening of Amsa Station Park. A new city bus route 3324, running from Gangil-dong to Godeok Biz Valley, Amsa Station Park, Cheonho Station, and Gangdong Station, has been established, and the district is continuously proposing to Seoul City the introduction of a bus route connecting Godeok Biz Valley and Amsa Station Park via Arisu-ro.
Mayor Lee Soo-hee said, "I thank Seoul City for working in unison with Gangdong-gu to improve congestion. The district will also spare no effort to resolve transportation issues related to the opening of Amsa Station Park, including improving congestion and establishing new bus routes to enhance public transportation connectivity."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
