Seoul Metropolitan Subway Explained

Seoul Metropolitan Subway
Imagesize2:300px
Native Name:수도권 전철 / 首都圈電鐵
Romanizations see box below
Owner:Government of South Korea, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Incheon Metropolitan City, Bucheon City, Uijeongbu City, Yongin City
Locale:Seoul Capital Area
Transit Type:Rapid transit, Commuter rail
Lines:23
Stations:768
Annual Ridership:1.91 billion (2017, Lines 1-9, Seoul Subway)[1]
1.16 billion (2017, Korail)[2]
Operator:Seoul Metro, Korail, Incheon Transit Corporation, and private rapid transit operators
System Length:1302.2km (809.1miles) (all lines)
Context:south
Mr:Sudokwŏn Chŏnch'ŏl
Rr:Sudogwon Jeoncheol

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is a metropolitan railway system consisting of 23 rapid transit, light metro, commuter rail and people mover lines located in northwest South Korea. The system serves most of the Seoul Metropolitan Area including the Incheon metropolis and satellite cities in Gyeonggi province. Some regional lines in the network stretch out beyond the Seoul Metropolitan Area to rural areas in northern Chungnam province and western Gangwon Province, that lie over away from the capital.[3]

The network consists of multiple systems that form a larger, coherent system. These being the Seoul Metro proper, consisting of Seoul Metro lines 1 through 9 and certain light rail lines, that serves Seoul city proper and its surroundings; Korail regional rail lines, which serve the greater metropolitan region and beyond; Incheon Metro lines, operated by Incheon Transit Corporation, that serve Incheon city proper; and miscellaneous light rail lines, such as Gimpo Goldline and Yongin Everline, that connect lower-density areas of their respective cities to the rest of the network.[4] Most of the system is operated by three companies – Seoul Metro, Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation), and Incheon Metro - with the rest being operated by an assortment of local municipal corporations and private rail companies.

Its first metro line, Line 1, started construction in 1971 and began operations in 1974, with through-operation to Korail's suburban railways. As of 2022, the network has 331.5km (206miles) of track on lines 1–9 alone.

Most of the trains were built by Hyundai Rotem, South Korea's leading train manufacturer.

Overview

The first line of the Seoul Subway network started construction in 1971.[5] The first section of subway was built using the cheaper cut and cover construction method. Initial lines relied heavily on Japanese technology, and subsequent lines (until the early-2000s) procured technological imports from Japan and the United Kingdom (in particular, GEC Traction equipment used on wide-width Lines 2, 3 and 4 rolling stock from the 1980s).[6] For example, Line 1 opened in 1974 with through services joining surrounding Korail suburban railway lines influenced by the Tokyo subway.[7] Today, many of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway's lines are operated by Korail, South Korea's national rail operator.[8]

It has been described as the world's longest multi-operator metro system by route length, beating out the slightly older Beijing Subway and more recent Shanghai Metro in China by over one-third.[9] The subway has free WiFi accessible in all stations and trains.[10] All stations have platform screen doors. These safety doors were completed by 2017, however many stations previously had metal barriers installed decades beforehand.[11] The world's first virtual mart for smartphone users opened at Seolleung station in 2011.

All directional signs in the system are written in Korean using Hangul, as well as English and Katakana/Chinese characters for Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. However the maps on the walls are in Korean and English only. In the trains, there are in addition many LCD screens giving service announcements, upcoming stop names, YTN news, stock prices and animated shorts. There are also prerecorded voice announcements that give the upcoming station, any possible line transfer, and the exiting side in Korean, followed by English. At major stations, this is followed by Japanese, then Mandarin Chinese, as well.[12]

Seoul Subway uses full-color LCD screens at all stations to display real-time subway arrival times, which are also available on apps for smartphones.[13] Most trains have digital TV screens, and all of them have air conditioning and climate controlled seats installed that are automatically heated in the winter. In 2014, it became the world's first metro operator to use transparent displays for ads when it installed 48 transparent displays on major stations of Line 2 in Gangnam District.[14] All lines use the T-money smart payment system using RFID and NFC technology for automatic payment by T-money smart cards, smartphones, or credit cards and one can transfer to any of the other line within the system for free.[15]

Trains on numbered lines and light rail lines generally run on the right-hand track, while trains on the named heavy-rail lines (e.g. Shinbundang Line, Suin–Bundang Line, and AREX) run on the left-hand track. The exceptions are the trains on Line 1, as well as those on Line 4 south of Namtaeryeong station. These lines run on the left-hand track because these rail lines are government-owned via Korail or through-run to government-owned lines and follow a different standard to the metro, one that is followed by all national rail lines (with the exception of the otherwise self-contained Ilsan Line) because much of the Korean Peninsula's early rail network was constructed during Japanese rule.[16]

History

Line 1, from Seongbuk station to Incheon station and Suwon station, opened on 15 August 1974. On 9 December 1978, the Yongsan-Cheongnyangni line via Wangsimni (now part of the Jungang Line) was added to Line 1. Line 2 opened on 10 October 1980. Line 4 opened on 20 April 1985, andLine 3 on 12 July. On 1 April 1994, the Indeogwon-Namtaeryeong extension of Line 4 opened. The Bundang Line, from Suseo station to Ori station, opened on 1 September. On 15 November 1995, Line 5 opened. The Jichuk-Daehwa extension of Line 3 opened on 30 January 1996. On 20 March, the Kkachisan-Sindorim extension of Line 2 opened. Line 7 opened on 11 October, and Line 8 on 23 November. On 6 October 1999, Incheon Subway Line 1 opened.

Seoul Subway Line 6 opened on 7 August 2000. In 2004 the fare system reverted to charging by distance, and free bus transfers were introduced. The Byeongjeom-Cheonan extension of Line 1 opened on 20 January 2005. On 16 December, the Jungang Line from Yongsan station to Deokso station opened. The Uijeongbu-Soyosan extension of Line 1 opened and shuttle service from Yongsan station to Gwangmyeong station began (with the route now shortened from Yeongdeungpo to Gwangmyeong) on 15 December 2006. On 23 March 2007, AREX opened. The Deokso-Paldang extension of the Jungang Line opened on 27 December. On 15 December 2008, the Cheonan-Sinchang extension of Line 1 opened. The magnetic paper ticket changed to an RFID-based card on 1 May 2009. On 1 July the Gyeongui Line from Seoul Station to Munsan station opened, and on 24 July Line 9 from Gaehwa station to Sinnonhyeon station opened.

The Byeongjeom-Seodongtan extension of Line 1 opened on 26 February 2010, and the Gyeongchun Line opened on 21 December. On 28 October 2011, the Shinbundang Line from Gangnam station to Jeongja station opened. The Suin Line, from Oido station to Songdo station, opened on 30 June 2012. The U Line opened on 1 July, the Onsu-Bupyeong-gu Office extension of Line 7 on 27 October and the Gongdeok-Gajwa extension of the Gyeongui Line on 15 December, and on 26 April 2013, EverLine opened. On 27 December 2014, the Gyeongui Line was extended to Yongsan and started through running to the Jungang Line, forming the Gyeongui–Jungang Line. The Sinnonhyeon-Sports Complex extension of Line 9 opened on 28 March 2015. On 30 January 2016 the Jeongja-Gwanggyo extension of the Shinbundang Line opened, followed by the Songdo-Incheon extension of the Suin Line on 27 February. Incheon Subway Line 2 opened on 30 July, and the Gyeonggang Line on 24 September. The Gyeongui–Jungang Line is extended one station east to Jipyeong station on 21 January 2017, with 4 round trips to Jipyeong station. On 16 June 2018 the Seohae Line opened. Magongnaru station on Line 9 became an interchange station with AREX on 29 September 2018.[17] Bundang line was extended northeastward to Cheongnyangni station, allowing for connections to the Gyeongchun Line and regional rail services on 31 December 2018. On 28 September 2019, the Gimpo Goldline opened.[18] On 12 September 2020, the Suin Line extension between Hanyang Univ. at Ansan and Suwon, beginning the interlining with Line 4 between Oido and Hanyang Univ. at Ansan, as well as through-running with the Bundang Line to form the Suin–Bundang Line.[19] On May 24, 2022, the Sillim Line opened, becoming the newest addition to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway.[20]

Lines and branches

The system is organized such that numbered lines, with some exceptions, are considered as urban rapid transit lines located within the Seoul National Capital Area (SNCA), whereas wide-area commuter lines operated by Korail provide a metro-like commuter rail service that usually extends far beyond the boundaries of the SNCA, rather similar to the RER in Paris. The AREX is an airport rail link that links Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport to central Seoul, and offers both express service directly to Incheon International Airport and all-stop commuter service for people living along the vicinity of the line. While operating hours may vary depending on the line and station in question, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway generally operates every day from 5.30 a.m. until midnight,[21] with some lines operated by Seoul Metro ending services around 1 a.m. on weekdays.[22]

Line nameTerminus (Ascending / Descending)StationsColorTotal lengthOpening YearLast ExtensionOperatorOwner
Yeoncheon / / / Incheon / Sinchang / Gwangmyeong / Seodongtan102[23] Dark blue218.3 km[24] [25] [26] 19742023Korail / Seoul MetroGovernment of South Korea / Seoul Metropolitan Government
City Hall / Seongsu / SindorimCity Hall / Sinseol-dong / Kkachisan51Green60.2 km 19801996Seoul MetroSeoul Metropolitan Government
DaehwaOgeum44[27] Orange57.4 km[28] 19852010Korail / Seoul MetroGovernment of South Korea / Seoul Metropolitan Government
JinjeopOido51[29] Light blue85.7 km[30] 19852022Korail / Seoul Metro / Namyangju City Urban Corporation
BanghwaHanam Geomdansan / Macheon56Purple/Violet63.0 km19952021Seoul MetroSeoul Metropolitan Government
EungamSinnae39Ocher[31] 36.4 km20002019
JangamSeongnam53Olive Green60.1 km19962021Seoul Metro / Incheon Transit CorporationSeoul Metropolitan Government / Bucheon City Council / Incheon Metropolitan City Council
ByeollaeMoran24Pink31.1 km19962024Seoul MetroSeoul Metropolitan Government
Gaehwa / [32] VHS Medical Center38Gold40.6 km20092018Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation / Seoul Metro
Seoul StationIncheon Int'l Airport Terminal 214Sea-Blue63.8 km20072018Airport Railroad Co., Ltd.Government of South Korea
Dorasan / / Jipyeong / Seoul Station57Jade-Color137.8 km[33] 20052021Korail
/ Cheongnyangni / Kwangwoon Univ.[34] Chuncheon24Teal81.3 km20102016
/ Cheongnyangni[35] Incheon63Orange-yellow104.6 km[36] 19942020
Sinseol-dongBukhansan Ui15Light gold11.4 km[37] 2017-UiTrans LRT Co., Ltd.Seoul Metropolitan Government
SaetgangGwanaksan11Seoul-Skyblue7.8 km2022-South Seoul LRT Co., Ltd.
SinsaGwanggyo16Red33.4 km[38] 20112022Shinbundang Railroad Corporation / Gyeonggi Railroad Co., Ltd. / New Seoul Railroad Co., Ltd. / Neo TransGovernment of South Korea
GyeyangSongdo Moonlight Festival Park30LightBlue30.3 km19992020Incheon Transit CorporationIncheon Metropolitan City Council
Geomdan OryuUnyeon27LightOrange29.1 km2016-
GiheungJeondae·Everland15Green18.1 km[39] 2013-Yongin EverLine Co., Ltd. / Neo TransYongin City Council
BalgokDepot Temporary Platform16Mandarin11.3 km[40] 20122021Uijeongbu Light Rail Transit Co., LtdUijeongbu City Council
PangyoYeoju11Korail-Blue54.8 km2016-KorailGovernment of South Korea
IlsanWonsi21Lime47 km20182023Korail / SEO HAE RAIL CO.,LTD. (Subsidiary of Seoul Metro) / ERAIL Co., Ltd.
Gimpo International AirportYangchon10Gold23.7 km2019-GIMPO Goldline Co., Ltd. (Subsidiary of Seoul Metro)Gimpo City Council

Rolling stock

See main article: Seoul Metropolitan Subway rolling stock.

Fares and ticketing

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway system operates on a unified transportation fare system, meaning that subways and buses in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province are treated as one system when it comes to fares. For example, a subway rider can transfer to any other line for free (with the exception of Shinbundang Line, EverLine and U Line, the latter two adding a flat charge of 200 and 300 won respectively). One can also transfer to any Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, or some South Chungcheong Province city buses for free and get discounted fares on the more expensive express buses.[41]

In the case of Shinbundang Line, charges vary depending on the section used. The Sinsa - Gangnam section always charges 500 won, while the Gangnam - Jeongja section or the Jeongja - Gwanggyo section charges 1,000 won when used alone, and 1,400 altogether when used in conjunction with another. In total, the maximum added fee one can be charged is 1,900 won, which can be achieved by using all three sections.[42]

From 1974 until 1985, the subway's fare system was distance-based and Edmondson railway tickets, originally introduced for the Korean railways during Japanese rule, were used for fare validation. In 1985, the fare system changed to a zone-based system and magnetic-stripe paper tickets were introduced to replace the Edmondson system.

In 1996, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway became the first subway system in the world to roll out contactless smart cards, called Upass, for fare validation. These cards were issued up till October 2014, when they were discontinued in favour of the newer T-money cards.

Currently, the fare system is distance-based and accepted payment methods are single-use tickets, transportation cards including T-money and Cash Bee. Transportation cards can also be used on buses, taxis, convenience stores and many other popular retail places. Riders must tap in with a smartphone (KakaoPay and Samsung Pay/Wallet only), contactless-equipped credit or debit cards or other prepaid metro card at the entry gates. Popular methods of payments are using NFC-enabled Android smartphones (topped up or billed to the owner's credit/debit card via the T-money app) or credit or check (debit) cards with built-in RFID technology issued by the bank or card company.

The current single-use ticket is a credit card-sized plastic card with RFID technology, which can be obtained from automated machines in every subway station. A 500 won deposit fee is included in the price, and is refunded when the ticket is returned at any station. Multiple use cards are sold in convenience stores and the functionality is included in many credit/debit cards.

Fares (except for single-use tickets) are currently 1,400 won for a trip up to 10 km (6.2 mi), with 100 won added for each subsequent 5 km (3.1 mi). Once 50 km (31.1 mi) has been passed, 100 won will be added every 8 km (5.0 mi).[43] Single-use ticket users must pay RFID deposit 500 won plus 100 won surcharge to fare.

Half-priced children's tickets are available. The city government also uses Seoul Citypass as a transportation card. Senior citizens and disabled people qualify for free transit and can get a free ticket with a valid ID card or enter with a registered transportation card without having the fare deducted.

International travelers can also use a Metropolitan Pass (MPASS) which provides up to 20 trips per day during the prepaid duration of 1 day to 7 days. Depending on where you purchase the card, the service is limited to the Seoul metropolitan area or Jeju Island and does not work in taxis or certain convenience stores.[44] [45]

Current construction

Opening 2024

Opening 2025

Opening 2026

Opening 2027 or later

Approved for construction

The following lines have not started construction, but are considered to be approved after their plans and their financing have been finalized. Most of these lines are scheduled to start construction in the next couple of years.

Planned

Seoul City

The Seoul Metropolitan government published a ten-year plan for expansion of the subway with the following projects under consideration.[51] [52]

Incheon City

The Incheon Metropolitan government is working on the Second Incheon Metro Network Construction Plan that inherits the Incheon Metro Network Construction Plan published in 2016. It includes the construction of five new tram lines. The draft is expected to be released in October 2020.[58]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 자료실 : 알림마당>자료실>자료실. www.seoulmetro.co.kr.
  2. Web site: ko:수송현황 - 통계 - 량. ko. Transportation status - statistics - volume . http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/subview.jsp?id=www_020203010000. Korail. 14 November 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211114195731/http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/subview.jsp?id=www_020203010000.
  3. http://www.korail.com/file/statistics/2012/2012-04.pdf 2012 Korail Statistics
  4. Web site: Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of South Korea: Definition of Urban Rail and Wide-area Rail. https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051744/http://mltm.go.kr/USR/policyData/m_34681/dtl.jsp?id=422. dead. 25 April 2012.
  5. Web site: 서울 지하철 1호선. Seoul Metropolitan Government. 25 August 2015. ko.
  6. Web site: scaadmin. 31 July 2015. [Metro] Construction of the Seoul Metro – the Driver behind Sustainable Urban Growth & Change]. 27 July 2020. 서울아카이브 Seoul Solution. en.
  7. Web site: Seoul's first subway line opened in 1974. The Korea Times. 25 July 2014. 13 February 2011.
  8. Web site: Introducing Korail . . 23 February 2014.
  9. Web site: The world's longest metro and subway systems . Railway-technology.com . 9 December 2013 . 7 September 2021.
  10. News: Underground world: Seoul's 'super highway' v London's 'rude tube' . . 3 April 2013 . 12 July 2013.
  11. Web site: 대중교통 커뮤니티 - SBM (철도, 버스 이용자들의 공간) : 네이버 카페. cafe.naver.com. 27 March 2018.
  12. Web site: Seoul Metropolitan Subway . Railway Technology . 16 June 2022.
  13. Web site: Subway Korea - Android Apps on Google Play . Malang Studio Co. Ltd . google.com.
  14. News: 낙후한 지하철 1~4호선, 첨단 디스플레이 기술로 새단장 나선다 . etnews . ko . 1-4 outdated subway line, state-of-the-art display technology sets out renovation . 15 March 2015 . 21 April 2015.
  15. With the exception of AREX on Yeongjong Island (extra charge applied depending on distance) and Shinbundang Line (extra charge of 500~1900 KRW depending on the sections used). EverLine and U Line will allow free transfers from 2014.
  16. News: <오후여담>좌측통행 . 문화일보 [Munhwailbo] . . Naver Corp. . ko . left side of the road . 16 May 2006 . 21 April 2015.
  17. Web site: 내년 지하철 9호선 마곡나루역 급행역사로 전환. 22 March 2017. 이데일리. 27 March 2018.
  18. Web site: Seoul Gimpo Gold Line automated light metro opens. 30 September 2019.
  19. Web site: 2020-09-13 . '추억의 꼬마열차' 수인선 수도권 남서지역 다시 누빈다 . 2022-10-08 . 서울일보 . ko.
  20. Web site: Burroughs . David . 2022-06-07 . Seoul's Sillim Line rubber-tyred metro opens . 2022-10-08 . International Railway Journal . en-GB.
  21. https://english.visitseoul.net/transportation
  22. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/05/29/national/socialAffairs/Korea-subway-Seoul/20220529174025996.html
  23. Of which 92 are operated by Korail and 10 by Seoul Metro.
  24. Web site: Metro Lines & Trains in Operation. Korail. 25 July 2014.
  25. Web site: http://infra.seoul.go.kr/archives/1092 . ko:지하철건설현황 . Seoul City Government . ko . Status of Subway Construction . 22 February 2014.
  26. Of which 210.5 km is operated by Korail and 7.8 km by Seoul Metro.
  27. Of which 10 are operated by Korail and 34 by Seoul Metro.
  28. Of which 19.2 km is operated by Korail and 38.2 km by Seoul Metro.
  29. Of which 25 are operated by Korail and 26 by Seoul Metro.
  30. Of which 40.4 km is operated by Korail and 45.3 km by Seoul Metro.
  31. Web site: 자료실 : 알림마당>자료실>자료실 . 2024-01-16 . www.seoulmetro.co.kr.
  32. While Gaehwa is the official terminus, express trains only run to Gimpo International Airport station
  33. Web site: Southern portion of inter-Korean railway to reopen. 25 December 2014. The Hankyoreh. 25 August 2015.
  34. Most trains run until Sangbong, very few trains operate to Kwangwoon Univ. and a few trains run to Cheongnyangni (However, express trains always go to Cheongnyangni)
  35. Most trains run until Wangsimni and a few trains run to Cheongnyangni
  36. Web site: Final Bundang Line Extension Opens. Kojects. 26 August 2014. 30 November 2013.
  37. Web site: 우이신설도시철도에 오신결 환영합니다.. www.ui-line.com. 27 March 2018.
  38. Web site: 무인운전 시스템의 장점. Shinbundang Line & NeoTrans. ko. 25 July 2014.
  39. Web site: 노선안내. Yongin Rapid Transit Corporation. 25 July 2014. ko. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810222755/http://www.ever-line.co.kr/everline/bbs/content.php?co_id=everline. 10 August 2014.
  40. Web site: 사업개요. Uijeongbu LRT Corporation. 25 July 2014. ko. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102002906/https://www.ulrt.co.kr/intro/intro_09.do. 2 November 2014.
  41. Web site: 신 . 진호 . 2022-01-02 . 수도권 전철과 천안·아산 시내버스 '무료 환승'...알뜰교통카드 나왔다 . 2022-10-10 . . ko.
  42. Web site: 신분당선 운임안내 . Sinbundang Line Fare Information . October 9, 2022 . DX Line . Korean.
  43. Web site: User Guide > Fare. Seoul Metropolitan Subway . 15 November 2023 .
  44. Web site: Exclusive Tourist Cards . . 2 August 2018 . . 26 November 2018 .
  45. Web site: Tmoney Only for Foreigners: We would like to introduce Tmoney for Foreign Tourists. . . T-Money . 26 November 2018 .
  46. Web site: 속도내는 동북선 경전철…2019년 착공. 24 July 2017. The Hankyoreh.
  47. Web site: "25분 거리를 10분만에… 지역경제도 살아났으면"… 27일 완전 재개통 앞둔 수인선 시범 운행. Kukmin Ilbo. 24 February 2016. 27 March 2018.
  48. Web site: 양주까지 7호선 연결 본격 시작…서울 접근성 기대.
  49. Web site: 서울지하철 7호선 청라 연장사업 본궤도 진입…설계 착수. 4 May 2020. Yonhap News Agency.
  50. Web site: 위례신사선 민자사업, 추진 확정..2021년께 착공 예상. 25 October 2018. NewsPim.
  51. Web site: [서울 도시철도망]강북횡단선 등 경전철 6개 노선 신설…서울 교통지도 바뀐다]. 20 February 2019. 이투데이.
  52. Web site: News View :: The World on Arirang.
  53. Web site: 2028년까지 목동~청량리 잇는 강북횡단선 등 경전철 6개 노선 신설. 20 February 2019. The Chosun Ilbo.
  54. Web site: 우이신설역 연장 추진 확정, 솔밭공원~방학역 연결. 우먼컨슈머. 21 February 2019.
  55. Web site: [서울 도시철도망] 면목선, 동대문·중랑 상습정체 구간 해소]. 20 February 2019. NewsPim.
  56. Web site: [서울 도시철도망] 난곡선, 남부순환로 이남 주거 밀집지 연결]. 20 February 2019. NewsPim.
  57. Web site: [서울 도시철도망] 목동선, 서부서울 철도 사각지대 해소]. 20 February 2019. NewsPim.
  58. Web site: 인천시 철도과, 12월 국토부 '제2차 도시철도망구축계획' 승인 신청. 16 September 2020. 인천투데이.