GTX-A Wondangjungang-Seoul Station Section Surpasses 100 Percent of Projected Ridership
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on June 26 that the number of passengers using the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line A has reached 13,309,896 as of June 24.
The Suseo-Dongtan section, which opened in March last year, has recorded a cumulative total of 5.39 million users, averaging 11,932 passengers per day. The Wondangjungang-Seoul Station section, which began operation at the end of last year, has seen 7.19 million passengers, with an average of 44,226 users per day.
In the early days after the Suseo-Dongtan section opened, the daily average number of users was only about 7,730. However, after Guseong Station opened in June last year, this figure exceeded 10,000. So far this month, the daily average has reached 16,767, which is 78% of the projected demand.
For the Wondangjungang-Seoul Station section, the daily average at the beginning of this year was 33,596, which was 67% of the projected demand. In April, the daily average surpassed 50,000, reaching 100% of the forecasted number of users. This month, more than 60,000 people are using this section per day on average.
The Ministry explained, "It usually takes about two to three years for people to adapt to a new mode of transportation, but the GTX-A Wondangjungang-Seoul Station section reached its projected demand in less than four months." The Ministry cited several factors: the direct connection between downtown Seoul and key areas in the northwestern part of the metropolitan area, which has reduced travel time; and the fact that various events and performances are being held in the northwestern metropolitan area.
Many people use the line in connection with events held near Ilsan, such as at KINTEX or Goyang Sports Complex. On June 13, when a BTS group event was held, the daily number of users reached 93,534, the highest single-day figure. The day with the highest weekend ridership was May 3, when illustration exhibitions and performances took place, with 75,666 people using the line.
A new entrance (Entrance 5) will be created at Seogu Station to allow access from the west side of the Gyeongbu Expressway. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Starting June 30, a new entrance on the west side of Guseong Station in Yongin will be available. This station, which allows transfers to the Suin-Bundang Line, previously had all its entrances only on the east side of the Gyeongbu Expressway. With the new entrance, access from the west side of the Gyeongbu Expressway will become more convenient. Seven new bus routes and 19 buses will operate at the west entrance bus stop. At the existing Entrance 4, 102 buses on 34 routes currently operate. Temporary parking and pedestrian walkways have also been created for users of the west entrance.
Yoon Jinwhan, Director General for Railways at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "We believe that the GTX-A Line is playing a major role not only in alleviating commuting inconveniences between Seoul and the northern and southern parts of Gyeonggi Province, but also in weekend leisure activities. We will continue to improve convenience for passengers and ensure that the Changneung Station and Samseong Station sections are completed on time with safety and quality as the top priorities."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
