Support Now Available for Additional and Replacement Costs of Urban Railway Vehicles in 7 Cities within Gyeonggi-do

‘Gyeonggi-do Railroad Project Promotion Ordinance’ Amendment Passed by Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly
Province Can Support Subsidies for Urban Railroad Projects Promoted by Cities and Counties Considering Financial Conditions

A legal basis has been established to support the additional costs for increasing the number of trains and replacing aging vehicles to ensure the safety of urban railway users in Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 30th, the amendment to the "Ordinance on the Promotion of Railway Projects in Gyeonggi Province," which includes these provisions, passed the 379th plenary session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council on the same day.

The ordinance includes provisions that, considering the province's financial conditions, subsidies can be provided for the additional costs of increasing trains and replacing aging vehicles to ensure the safety of urban railway users operated by cities and counties. Accordingly, if requested by cities and counties operating urban railways, the province can support the budget through cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and the respective city.

Currently, the urban railways licensed by Gyeonggi Province include six lines in seven cities: Gimpo, Hanam, Guri, Namyangju, Bucheon, Uijeongbu, and Yongin.

The problem is that on some lines, as the number of users increases, passenger safety issues during peak commuting hours have been raised. The respective cities are trying to resolve safety issues by purchasing additional vehicles, but due to a lack of funds, it is not always easy. According to the current ordinance, the cities operating the urban railways are responsible for all costs related to increasing and replacing vehicles, so there is a lack of institutional grounds for Gyeonggi Province to provide support.

Accordingly, while reviewing measures to support costs for increasing urban railway vehicles and replacing aging vehicles to ensure safety, Gyeonggi Provincial Council member Lee Ki-hyung took the lead in proposing the related ordinance, thereby establishing a basis for support.

A Gyeonggi Province official said, “Gyeonggi Province plans to strengthen cooperation with the cities operating the urban railways to ensure safety and will also seek financial support when necessary.”