Pyongyang Metro
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| Pyongyang Metro (MTR) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Info | |
| Locale | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 2 |
| Number of stations | 17 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1973 |
| Operator(s) | Transport and Communication Commission[1] |
| Technical | |
| System length | 22 km (14 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) |
| Pyongyang Metro | |
|---|---|
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 평양 지하철 |
| Hancha | 平壤地下鐵 |
| McCune–Reischauer | P'yŏngyang Chihach'ŏl |
| Revised Romanization | Pyeongyang Jihacheol |
The Pyongyang Metro (MTR) (Korean: 평양 지하철) is the metro system in Pyongyang, North Korea, consisting of two lines. The Ch'ŏllima (Korean: 천리마선) Line runs from Kwangbok (Korean: 광복) Station in the southwest to Rakwon (Korean: 락원) station in the northeast. The Hyŏksin (Korean: 혁신선) Line runs north, from Puhun (Korean: 부흥) Station on the banks of the Taedong to Pulgunbyol (Korean: 붉은별) Station. The two lines intersect at Chŏnu (Korean: 전우) Station. Daily ridership is 700,000, according to a 2008 CNN report.[2]
Construction of the metro network started in 1968, and was inaugurated September 6, 1973. There was a major accident during the construction of a tunnel under the Taedong River. Some sources say at least 100 workers died in the accident.[citation needed] This particular piece of tunnel was never completed; the metro network is now completely located on the western side of the river.
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Pyongyang Metro is the deepest metro in the world—the track is approximately 110 meters (about 360 feet) deep underground.[3]
It is also one of the cheapest in the world to ride, at only 5 KP₩ (about $0.03 USD) per ticket. The Metro utilizes an aluminium token, with the emblem of the Metro minted on it.
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[edit] Network
The network consists of two lines:
- Ch'ŏllima line, named after a very fast horse from ancient korean mythology (a horse can run a thousand 'li'(1 li=about 400 meters) a day). It spans about 12 km (~8 mi). Construction started in 1968, and the line was opened in 1973.
- Hyoksin line, literally means renewal, spans about 10 km (~6 mi). Revenue service started in 1975.
For the most part, the stations' names do not refer to the locations of the stations; instead, stations are named after themes and characteristics from North Korea's revolution. But Kaeson ("Triumph") is located at the Arch of Triumph.
The Pyongyang Metro has a museum devoted to its construction and history.
The network is completely underground. The design of the network was based on metro networks in other communist countries, in particular the Moscow Metro. Both networks share many characteristics, such as the great depth of the lines (100 meters) and the large distance between stations. Another common feature is the Socialist realist art that can be found in the stations. Staff of the Metro have a military-style uniform that is specific to these workers.
In times of war, the metro stations can serve as bomb shelters. For this purpose, the stations are fitted with large steel doors. Some sources claim that large military installations are connected to the stations. [1]
One station—Kwangmyong—is reported to be closed since 1995, due to the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung located at that station.
The Hyoksin Line is reported to have two new stations planned or under development, Yonun 영웅 and Chilgok. Maps of the Hyoksin line in the Metro show two additional unnamed stations after Kwangbok station.
Maps of the Chollima line in the Metro show two additional unnamed stations after Pulgunbyol station.
| Stations of the Pyongyang Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Chollima Line | |||
| Station | Literal meaning | Transfer | Opened |
| Pulgunbyol 붉은별 | Red Star | 6 September 1973 | |
| Chonu 전우 | Comrade | #2 Chonsung | |
| Kaeson 개선 | Triumph | ||
| Tongil 통일 | Reunification | ||
| Sungni 승리 | Victory | ||
| Ponghwa 봉화 | Beacon | ||
| Yonggwang 영광 | Glory | 10 April 1987 | |
| Puhung 부흥 | Revitalization | ||
| #2 Hyoksin Line | |||
| Station | Literal meaning | Transfer | Opened |
| Kwangbok 광복 | Restoration | 9 September 1978 | |
| Konguk 건국 | National Foundation | ||
| Hwanggumbol 황금벌 | Golden Soil | 6 September 1978 | |
| Konsol 건설 | Construction | ||
| Hyoksin 혁신 | Renewal | 9 September 1975 | |
| Chonsung 전승 | Sacrifice in Battle | #1 Chonu | |
| Samhung 삼흥 | Three Rejuvenations | ||
| Kwangmyong 광명 | Shine (or Enlightenment) | ||
| Rakwon 락원 | Paradise (or Amusement Park) | ||
[edit] Operation
The metro was designed to operate every few minutes. During the rush hours, the trains can operate at a minimum interval of 2 minutes. Foreign tourists are only allowed to travel between Puhung Station and Yongwang Station. These two stations in this line that were completed in 1987, while the others in this line were all completed in 1973, suggesting that they may be less modern.
Smoking and eating inside the subway system is prohibited, and punishable by a large fine.
[edit] Rolling stock
When operation of the metro started in the seventies, newly built rolling stock was used. Although North Korea insists it was built in Korea, the four-car formations, known as DK4, were built in China by Changchun Car Company in 1972. In 1998, some of these trainsets were sold to the Beijing Metro, where they served in three car formations on line 13.
Since 1998, the Pyongyang metro has used former German rolling stock from the Berlin U-Bahn. There are two different types of rolling stock:
- GI ("Gisela"), former East Berlin stock, built between 1978 and 1982.
- D ("Dora"), former West Berlin stock, built between 1957 and 1965.
The trainsets received a new red and cream livery in Pyongyang. All advertising was removed and replaced by portraits of the leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.
Recent travelers have only seen type D in operation; the GI-type has been replaced by the Dora-stock. GI-trains are used at the railway network around Pyongyang.[4]
Foreigners visiting North Korea can only see the metro as part of guided tours of Pyongyang. However, a BBC reporter who was covering the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000 was able to walk around the city without his minder and saw "old East German trains complete with their original German graffiti."[5] Recent photographs taken by visitors all show the same handful of type D trains, so it is possible that only a few type D trains have been repainted and that these are the only ones shown to foreigners on guided tours.[6] A visitor in 2004 noted 40 cars at one line, divided in ten trains.[7]
[edit] See also
- Transportation in North Korea
- Pyongyang Tram
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of rapid transit systems
[edit] References
- ^ The Pyongyang Metro: Statistics
- ^ "CNN Special Investigations Unit: Notes from North Korea". May 11, 2008. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0805/11/siu.01.html. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
- ^ "平壤的表情：你不知道的朝鲜" (in Chinese). Netease. July 31, 2007. http://news.163.com/07/0731/09/3KNIJS0O00011SM9_2.html. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
- ^ http://www.farrail.de/seiten/tour-report/nordkorea-dampf+m62-2007-04.html
- ^ Lister, Richard (2000-10-08). ""Life in Pyongyang"". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/995692.stm. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ ""Metro News"". pyongyangmetro.com. 2006. http://www.pyongyangmetro.com/metronews.html. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ http://www.farrail.de/seiten/tour-report/bericht_nk-okt-2004.html
[edit] Literature
- Pyongyang Metro, Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1980
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pyongyang Metro |
- Comprehensive site about the Pyongyang Metro
- Pyongyang at Urbanrail.net
- Photographs of Pyongyang Metro from 2008
- Photos and information
- This article incorporates information from the Russian Wikipedia.
