Average Daily Ridership on Gyoeosen Line in Gyeonggi Province Increases by 1.5 Times
Weekday Passengers Up by 1.85 Times... Local Tourism Also Revitalized
Gyeonggi Province Expects Further Increase in Ridership Due to Travel Demand After May
Gyeonggi Province announced that after increasing the number of daily Gyoeosen train operations from 8 to 20 starting April 1, the average number of daily passengers rose by 1.5 times.
According to Gyeonggi Province on May 8, the average number of weekday passengers on the Gyoeosen during the one-month period after the expanded operations (April 1 to 30) increased from 285 to 529, approximately 1.85 times. On weekends, the number rose from 807 to 1,056, a 1.31-fold increase. Overall, the average daily number of passengers increased from 442 to 669, about 1.5 times higher.
The Gyoeosen line, which opened in 1963, was suspended in 2004 due to economic feasibility issues and other reasons, but resumed operations on January 11. From then until the end of April, a total of 55,411 people used the Gyoeosen, with an average of about 504 passengers per day.
After the resumption, the Gyoeosen operated only 8 times a day, but from April, the number of daily operations was increased to 20.
Based on departures from Daegok Station, the first train leaves at 7:02 a.m. and arrives at Uijeongbu Station at 7:56 a.m., while the last train departs at 9:19 p.m. and arrives at Uijeongbu Station at 10:13 p.m. For departures from Uijeongbu Station, the first train leaves at 6:55 a.m. and arrives at Daegok Station at 7:49 a.m., while the last train departs at 9:12 p.m. and arrives at Daegok Station at 10:06 p.m.
The first and last train times are the same on weekends and public holidays, but midday schedules differ, so passengers are advised to check the Korail website for details.
In addition, the 'Gyoeoharu' unlimited day pass, which allows unlimited rides on the entire Gyoeosen line for one day, is also available. The one-day pass costs 4,000 won and can be purchased through the Korail Talk app.
Han Taeu, Director of Railway Operations at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The increase in passenger numbers appears to be the result of expanding operations based on the timetable determined after analyzing usage patterns during the three-month stabilization period following the resumption of Gyoeosen service." He added, "We expect the number of passengers to continue rising due to increased travel demand after May, which will contribute to revitalizing tourism in the northern Gyeonggi region."
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