"Sharing Costs but Bearing the Inconvenience?"
Guri City Council Condemns Byeolnae Line Service Reduction Plan
Shin Donghwa: "Glad the Reduction Was Withdrawn... Irresponsible Administration Must Not Recur"
On December 18, the Guri City Council in Gyeonggi Province (Chairman Shin Donghwa) unanimously adopted the "Resolution to Urge the Withdrawal of the Reduced Operation Plan for the Byeolnae Line (Line 8) Guri-Namyangju Section," which was sponsored by Vice Chairman Kim Sungtae, at the first plenary session of the 355th extraordinary meeting.
Guri City Council (Chairman Shin Donghwa) unanimously adopted the "Resolution to Urge the Withdrawal of the Reduced Operation Plan for the Byeolnae Line (Line 8) Guri-Namyangju Section," which was jointly proposed by Vice Chairman Kim Sungtae, at the 1st plenary session of the 355th extraordinary meeting on the 18th. Provided by Guri City Council
In his proposal explanation, Vice Chairman Kim Sungtae pointed out that the Byeolnae Line (Line 8), used by an average of 45,000 Guri citizens daily and for which the city shares 26 billion won in annual operating costs, is facing a reduction plan that would turn back some Line 8 trains at Amsa Station and decrease the number of trains during commuting hours on the Guri-Namyangju section. He emphasized that this plan is being implemented due to defects in existing trains, not new rolling stock prior to the extension of the Byeolnae Line, and criticized it as a clear case of "structural unfairness," as it imposes costs on all while concentrating inconvenience on citizens of specific areas.
In response, the Guri City Council condemned the unilateral administrative action taken without agreement or public discussion with Guri and Namyangju, and unanimously adopted a resolution containing the following demands: immediate withdrawal of the plan to reduce train operations on the Byeolnae Line Guri-Namyangju section; maintenance of current train intervals during commuting hours and the establishment of practical alternatives to minimize inconvenience to citizens; implementation of prior agreement and public discussion procedures with cost-sharing local governments for any significant future changes to metropolitan railway operations; and a call on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to immediately halt the review of the railway safety management system and to strictly supervise and guide the process, prioritizing transportation benefits and the public nature of metropolitan transit.
Meanwhile, upon hearing the news during the plenary session that the Seoul Metropolitan Government had withdrawn the relevant operation plan, Chairman Shin Donghwa stated, "It is good news that the plan to reduce operations on the Guri-Namyangju section has been withdrawn, but to prevent such irresponsible administration from recurring, we will deliver this resolution to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Metro, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to convey the united will of the Guri City Council."
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