Seoul Metropolitan Subway
| Seoul Metropolitan Subway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Background | |||
| Owner | Seoul Special City, Korea Rail Network Authority, Incheon Metropolitan City, Uijeongbu City, Yongin City | ||
| Locale | Seoul, South Korea Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gangwon-do |
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| Transit type | Rapid transit, Commuter rail | ||
| Number of lines | 19 | ||
| Number of stations | 607 total 411 rapid transit serviced stations excluding Incheon subway |
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| Daily ridership | 6.9 million (2011) (Seoul Metro/SMRT/Line 9 only) | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | August 15, 1974 | ||
| Operator(s) | Seoul Metro, SMRT, Korail, Incheon Transit and private rapid transit operators | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 975.4 km (606.1 mi) 537.4 km (333.9 mi) of rapid transit serviced lines excluding Incheon subway |
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| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
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The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is the world's most extensive subway system by length,[1] the world's second largest subway by number of stations after New York City Subway[1] and the world's second most highly used subway after Tokyo Subway,[2] consisting of 19 lines serving the Seoul Metropolitan Area.
The system is rated the world's best subway system by Jalopnik,[3] nicknamed "super highway",[4] it is notable for its cleanliness and ease of use. Seoul Subway introduced the world's first commercially used contactless smart card called Upass and advanced technology such as 4G LTE, WiFi, DMB and WiBro accessible in all stations and moving subway cars. Most trains have digital TV screens and all of them have climate controlled seats installed that are automatically heated in the winter. All stations of the Seoul subway are installed with automatic platform gates for safety.[5] Since 2010, all Seoul Metro stations feature the world's largest digital signage service,[6] which are smartphone-like 46" touchscreen kiosk stands called Digital View provided by Daum that have many apps such as maps having a Google Street View-like feature, tourist guides and free phone calls. The world's first virtual mart for smartphone users opened at Seolleung Station in 2011.[7]
All lines use the T-money smart payment system utilizing 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.[8]
Real-time subway arrival times are available for all lines provided through giant LCD screens at all stations, along with apps for smartphones. All directional signs in the system are written in both Korean and English. Station signs and some maps also display Hanja. The pre-recorded voice announcement in the trains indicating the upcoming station, possible line transfer and exiting side are all in Korean followed by English, and in some cases Japanese then Chinese.
Contents |
Lines & Channels[edit]
History[edit]
- August 15, 1974: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 1, operating from Seongbuk Station to Incheon Station and Suwon Station.
- December 9, 1978: Yongsan - Cheongnyangni line was added to Line 1. Now part of Jungang Line.
- October 10, 1980: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 2.
- 1985: Fare system changed from charging by distance to zone, Edmondson railway ticket changed to magnetic paper ticket.
- April 20, 1985: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 4.
- July 12, 1985: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 3.
- September 1, 1985: Station operations made automatic in the Seoul subway.
- 1991: Station operations made automatic in the entire system.
- April 1, 1994: Opening of Indeogwon - Namtaeryeong extension of Seoul Subway Line 4.
- September 1, 1994: Opening of Bundang Line, operating from Suseo Station to Ori Station.
- November 15, 1995: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 5.
- January 30, 1996: Opening of Jichuk - Daehwa extension of Seoul Subway Line 3.
- March 20, 1996: Opening of Kkachisan - Sindorim extension of Seoul Subway Line 2.
- October 11, 1996: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 7.
- November 23, 1996: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 8.
- October 6, 1999: Opening of Incheon Subway Line 1.
- 2000: All lines unified under the Seoul Metropolitan Subway.
- August 7, 2000: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 6.
- 2004: Fare system changed back to charging by distance. Free transfers with buses introduced.
- January 20, 2005: Opening of Byeongjeom - Cheonan extension of Seoul Subway Line 1.
- December 16, 2005: Opening of Jungang Line, operating from Yongsan Station to Deokso Station.
- December 15, 2006: Opening of Uijeongbu - Soyosan extension of Seoul Subway Line 1. Subway cars from Yongsan Station to Gwangmyeong Station begin operating. Now reduced to Yeongdeungpo - Gwangmyeong.
- March 23, 2007: Opening of AREX.
- December 27, 2007: Opening of Deokso - Paldang extension of Jungang Line.
- December 15, 2008: Opening of Cheonan - Sinchang extension of Seoul Subway Line 1.
- May 1, 2009: Magnetic paper ticket changed to RFID based public transportation card.
- July 1, 2009: Opening of Gyeongui Line, operating from Seoul Station to Munsan Station.
- July 24, 2009: Opening of Seoul Subway Line 9, operating from Gaehwa Station to Sinnonhyeon Station.
- February 26, 2010: Opening of Byeongjeom - Seodongtan extension of Seoul Subway Line 1.
- December 21, 2010: Opening of Gyeongchun Line.
- October 28, 2011: Opening of Sinbundang Line, operating from Gangnam Station to Jeongja Station.
- June 30, 2012: Opening of Suin Line, operating from Oido Station to Songdo Station.
- July 1, 2012: Opening of U Line.
- December 15, 2012: Opening of Gongdeok - Gajwa extension of Gyeongui Line.
- April 26, 2013: Opening of EverLine.
Rolling stock[edit]
Fares and ticketing[edit]
The current single-use ticket is a credit-card sized plastic card with RFID technology, which are 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.
From February 2012, ticket prices are currently 1,050 won for a trip up to 10 km, with 100 won added for each subsequent 5 km.[9] Prices for Sinbundang Line start at 1,750 won, while EverLine and U Line cost 1,300 won. From 2014, Sinbundang Line prices will begin at 1,950 won, while EverLine and U Line will introduce free transfers to other lines and buses. Half-priced children's tickets are available. Riders may also enter the system using a transportation card such as T-money, Upass, and KB Free Pass. There is a 100 won discount for using a transportation card. 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 or enter and exit using side gates rather than turnstiles.
Current construction[edit]
Opening 2013[edit]
- The Incheon Airport Maglev, operating at up to 110 km/h, will run from Incheon International Airport Station to Yongyu Station in September 2013. It will be the world's third operational maglev system serving the public after Japan's Linimo and the Shanghai Maglev Train.
- The Gyeongchun Line will open both Sinnae Station and Cheonmasan Station but not at the same time.
- The Bundang Line will open a southern extension to Suwon Station in December.
Opening 2014[edit]
- A Light Rapid Transit line named Ui LRT will be a 11.4 km (7.1 mi) line from Ui-dong to Sinseol Dong in northern Seoul [4]. The line is expected to carry 110,000 passengers a day and will have 12 stations. It will connect to Line 4 at Sungshin Women's University, Line 6 at Bomun and Line 1 & 2 at Sinseol Dong.
- Line 9 will be extended from Sinnonhyeon to Sports Complex.
- The closed Yongsan Line is being rebuilt as the connecting piece between the Gyeongui Line and Jungang Line creating one very long line.[10]
- Noryangjin Station that connects Line 1 and Line 9 will get a tunnel connecting the two stations. Currently riders must exit the station to complete the transfer with holders of single use tickets paying twice.
Opening 2015[edit]
- Incheon Subway Line 2 is planned to open with 27 stations over 29.3 km from Oryu dong in Seo-gu to Incheon Grand Park.[11] The line been under construction since June 26, 2009 and was planned to open in August 2014[12] but was pushed back to July 2015.[13] It will intersect Line 1 at Incheon City Hall Station, Korail Line 1 at Juan Station, and AREX at Geomam Station.
- The Yeoju Line will be an 11 station line in Gyeonggi-do that will intersect both the Sinbundang Line and Bundang Line as it heads east.
- The Suin Line will open Phase 2 which is an extension from Songdo Station to Incheon Station along with Phase 3 between Suwon station and Hanyang Univ. at Ansan station, which will merge with the Bundang Line in December.
Opening 2016+[edit]
- The Sosa–Wonsi Line is a 12-station line in south-western Seoul with transfers to Line 1 and Line 4. Opening is set for April 2016.
- Line 9 is being extended eastward to Korea Veteran's Hospital Station by 2016.
- Sinbundang Line's Phase 2 (2016) will extend the southern end of the line five stops with four additional proposed stops. Phase 3 (2018) will extend north-west six stops to Yongsan Station.[14]
Planned construction[edit]
There are several major works still in the planning stage or construction has yet to commence.
- (2014 ~ 2017) Line 8 will be extended north 11.37 km intersecting Guri Station and Byeolnae Station on the Gyeongchun Line.[15]
- The northern end of Line 4 will be extended three stations from Danggogae to Jinjeop, Namyangju. Construction will begin in 2015 with completion date in 2019.[16]
- (2013 ~ 2022) Sin Ansan Line will be connecting Ansan, Siheung, Seoul Station, and Cheongnyangni Station. At its terminus at Cheongnyangni, the line will be connected to a new light rail line called Myeonmok Light Rail Line
- From Wangsimni Station, an interchange station of Line 2, Line 5, Jungang Line, Bundang Line, and Dongbuk Light Rail Line is planned.[17]
- Incheon Line 3 is planned to be a semi-circular subway line of Incheon. It will intersect Seoul Subway Line 1 at Dowon Station and Dongmak Station at Incheon Subway Line 1 as well as the future Incheon Subway Line 2.[18]
- Myeonmokseon LRT (면목선 경전철) is a planned 12 station 9.05 km line from Cheongnyangni Station to the future Sinnae Station. Customers will be able to transfer to Seoul Subway Lines 1, 6, 7, and the Gyeongchun Line. Cost is estimated at 855.9 billion Won. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2013 ending in 2018.[19][20]
- Line 7 will get two more stations to the west to link up to Incheon Line 2. The 3.94 km extension is due completion in 2018.[21] Construction will commence in 2013.
- Gimpo City will have its own subway line (김포도시철도) stretching 23.61 km over 9 stations. Completion target is the end of 2018.
- Incheon Line 1 will get one more station to Songdo Landmark City 0.84 km beyond International Business District Station. Construction is planned to be start 2013 and be completed the end of 2018.[21]
- Everline might get a 6.8 km extension from Gugal station to the future Gwanggyo Station on the Sinbundang Line.[22]
- Several Light Rapid Transit lines are under various forms of production.
Construction on-hold[edit]
- Wolmi Galaxy Rail (월미은하레일 Wolmi Eunha Reil) is a completed monorail but currently non-operational on the island of Wolmido in Incheon, South Korea. The line was scheduled to open on March 2010,[23] but opening is currently indefinitely on-hold.[24]
See also[edit]
- Incheon Subway
- Pyongyang Metro
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of metro systems
- List of urban rail systems by length
- Seoul Metropolitan Subway stations
- Top 10 metro systems in terms of annual passenger rides
- Top 10 metro systems in terms of number of stations
- Transportation in South Korea
References[edit]
- ^ a b See List of metro systems
- ^ See Metro systems by annual passenger rides.
- ^ The Best Subway Systems In The World
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22010533
- ^ http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/05/117_44392.html
- ^ http://tunpark.blog.me/130083645611
- ^ What are the world's best metro systems?
- ^ With the exception of AREX on Yeongjong Island (extra charge applied depending on distance) and Sinbundang Line (extra flat charge of 700KRW). EverLine and U Line will allow free transfers from 2014.
- ^ "9호선/수도권 전철 읍데이트들 - Misc Subway Updates" (Blog). Rick&Nyo. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
- ^ "경의선 효창정거장 부지 220m 때문에…" ((Korean Language)). Chosun. 2011-08-25. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Incheon metro Line 2 signalling contract awarded". Railway Gazette International. 2010-02-09.
- ^ 최, 미경 (June 22, 2012). "인천시의회, 하루 만에 뒤집다" (Korean). Kiho News. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "DX Line 홈페이지에 오신것을 환영합니다" (Korean Language). Shin Bundang. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
- ^ Bak, Yongson (2011-05-04). "경기북부 연장 광역전철 '윤곽 잡혔다'". Yonhap News. Retrieved 07 Sept 2011.
- ^ "4호선 연장 및 창동차량기지 이전 공동 선언식" (Korean). 연합뉴스. October 17, 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Lee, Jinchol (July 10, 2011). "청량리-신내역 면목선 경전철 민자사업 본격화". E Daily Jonghab News. Retrieved 09 Sept. 2011.
- ^ Kim, Gyeongtaek (July 11, 2011). "청량리~신내역 경전철 면목선 2013년 착공". Kukmin Ilbo Kuki News. Retrieved 02 Sept. 2011.
- ^ a b "사업소개" (Korean Language). 도시철도건설본부. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "(경기도 도시철도) 용인경전철 연장" (Korean Language). Future Rail Database. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ http://www.hyundaiilbo.com/cgi/board.html?type=view&class=hd12&no=321171&page=1&mode=&search=&key_word=
- ^ 개통 앞둔 월미은하레일 '시운전', Kyeongin-ilbo.
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Official Homepages
- City Government
- The Seoul Underground Subway: Official Seoul Tourism
- English-language WMV video describing Seoul Subway history, current construction and future projects
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