Yangsan City Receives First Light Rail Vehicles for Urban Railway 'Nopo-Bukjeong' Section

Delivery of New Vehicles Begins
Aiming for Next Year's Opening,
Enhanced Safety and Convenience

On the morning of May 8, Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province announced that one set (two cars) of light rail vehicles for the Yangsan Urban Railway (from Nopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan to Bukjeong-dong, Yangsan City) had been delivered for the first time to the Yangsan Line vehicle depot.

Initial Delivery of Yangsan Urban Railway Vehicles. Provided by Yangsan City

The Yangsan Urban Railway (Nopo-Bukjeong) vehicles are designed for unmanned operation on a single-track section with a total length of 11.43 km and seven stations. The vehicles are equipped with rubber tires, which generate less noise and are therefore suitable for operation in urban areas.

In compliance with the strengthened Railway Safety Act, the vehicles feature couplers and front windows with enhanced energy absorption. For the first time among domestic light rail systems, an integrated inverter (VVVF-SIV) and a bogie-specific brake control system have also been introduced.

Additionally, to enhance passenger convenience, the vehicles are equipped with automatic window-frosting devices to protect residents' privacy when passing through residential areas, duct-type air conditioning and cabin fans for improved cooling efficiency, and wireless smartphone charging mounts. Each train set has a passenger capacity of 104, with a maximum transport capacity of 140.

The delivered train will undergo test runs within the depot and on the main line to verify safety. The remaining eight sets (16 cars) are scheduled for sequential delivery by August.

Furthermore, the construction of the Yangsan Urban Railway (Nopo-Bukjeong) has reached an overall progress rate of 89%. The remaining work, including SE (system engineering) tasks, is expected to be completed by 2025. After various tests and unmanned operation trials, comprehensive railway test runs will be conducted, with the line scheduled to open in the second half of 2026.

Mayor Na Dongyeon stated, "Today, the first train of the Yangsan Urban Railway has safely arrived on the track," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the remaining construction is managed thoroughly so that citizens can use a safe and comfortable urban railway as soon as possible."

Yangsan Mayor Na Dongyeon (right) inspects the initial delivery of Yangsan Urban Railway vehicles. Provided by Yangsan City

▲Integrated Inverter: A light rail-specific inverter designed with a unified enclosure for efficient arrangement of VVVF and SIV under the vehicle, with input/output and control circuits configured separately.

▲Bogie-Specific Brake Control System: An optimal control system for single-track lines that minimizes train operation disruptions due to brake malfunctions and improves the activation rate of regenerative braking for each bogie.

▲Automatic Window-Frosting Device: Glass windows that automatically become opaque when passing through residential areas.