One Year After Byeollae Line Opening, Ridership Up 30%... Sharp Increase in Transfers at Guri and Byeollae Stations

First Anniversary of Byeollae Line (Line 8 Extension) Opening
Average Daily Ridership Reaches 84,000
Nearly 50% Increase in Transfer Station Usage

The number of users on the Byeollae Line (Seoul Subway Line 8 Extension), which opened in August last year, has increased by approximately 30% since its launch.

Dasan Station. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

According to Gyeonggi Province on August 10, the average daily number of passengers at the five newly established stations in the Gyeonggi section of the Byeollae Line?Jangjahosu Park Station, Guri Station, Donggurung Station, Dasan Station, and Byeollae Station?increased from about 64,000 in August last year to about 84,000 per day as of June this year.

The stations with the largest increase in passengers were Guri Station (transfer station for the Gyeongui-Jungang Line) and Byeollae Station (transfer station for the Gyeongchun Line).

At Guri Station, which offers transfers to the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, the average daily number of users rose from about 11,800 at the time of opening to about 17,600, marking a 49.3% increase. Byeollae Station, a transfer station for the Gyeongchun Line, also saw a 47.3% rise, from about 12,300 at opening to around 18,300 daily users.

Travel time between Byeollae and Jamsil has also improved significantly since the opening of the Byeollae Line. Previously, it took more than 50 minutes by express bus or private car, but after the opening, the travel time has been reduced to about 27 minutes. The number of daily train operations has also increased from 292 at the time of opening to 324 in the first half of this year, an increase of 32 runs. Morning rush hour congestion, which averaged 153% at the time of opening, has also decreased by about 16%, dropping to an average of 137% in the first half of the year.

The Byeollae Line (Amsa~Byeollae) starts at Amsa Station in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and connects to Byeollae Station in Namyangju, serving as a metropolitan railway line that directly links Guri and Namyangju to the Gangnam area of Seoul. Like other urban railways, the Byeollae Line is included in the integrated fare system of the Seoul metropolitan area and is credited with improving accessibility and transportation convenience in the northeastern part of the metropolitan area.

Since its opening, the Byeollae Line has become a key commuting and school transportation option for local residents, effectively helping to disperse demand that was previously concentrated on express buses and road traffic.

In fact, a citizen using the Byeollae Line, identified as Ms. A, said, "Since the opening of the Byeollae Line, there have been many positive changes. I used to have to transfer buses more than three times, but now I can get to my destination with just one subway ride, which gives me more free time. In the morning, I feel less physically burdened, and in the evening, I have more time for exercise or to meet friends."

Kim Kibum, Director of the Railway, Ports, and Logistics Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The opening of the Byeollae Line is more than just the addition of a new railway line; it is a significant turning point that has substantially improved local residents' right to mobility and transportation welfare. We will continue to expand the railway network to provide transportation convenience and improve the quality of life for residents in the metropolitan area by ensuring the timely completion of projects currently underway, such as the Dobong-Okjeong Line, Okjeong-Pocheon Line, Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line, and Songpa-Hanam Line."