'2032 Opening' Incheon Bupyeong?Yeonanbudu Tram Project Launches... Service Commencement

Bupyeong Coastal Pier Line (Tram) Route Map [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is set to actively promote the construction of a tram line connecting Bupyeong and Yeonan Port, aiming for its opening in 2032.

The city announced on the 4th that it has commenced a feasibility study to establish a business plan for the Bupyeong-Yeonan Port Line, which will improve transportation conditions in the old downtown area and support balanced development between the new and old downtown areas.

This study aims to swiftly proceed with the follow-up administrative procedures for the Bupyeong-Yeonan Port Line, which was included as the second priority in the 'Incheon Urban Railway Network Construction Plan (Amendment)' scheduled for approval and announcement in the second half of this year, and to prepare a plan for project promotion.

During the one-year study period until November next year, tasks such as traffic demand forecasting for the Bupyeong?Yeonan Port route, construction and operation planning, economic and financial feasibility analysis, review of alternative routes, and selection of the optimal route will be conducted.

The city plans to prepare a project proposal before the completion of the study and apply to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in the first half of next year to include the project in the preliminary feasibility study. In a previous study conducted in 2019, the 'Benefit-Cost (B/C)' ratio of this line was found to be 1.05, exceeding the project promotion criterion of 1.0.

The Bupyeong-Yeonan Port Line is an 18.72 km tram connecting the old downtown areas including Gyeongin Line Bupyeong Station, the former U.S. military base Camp Market, Incheon Subway Line 2 Incheongajwa Station, Dohwa Urban Development Zone, and Yeonan Port. With a total project cost of 393.5 billion KRW, it will include 27 stations and one vehicle depot. The opening is targeted for 2032.

An Incheon City official stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport emphasized the introduction of trams as a metropolitan transportation policy direction for the next 10 years in the 'Metropolitan Transportation 2030' announced in October 2019," adding, "We will prepare thoroughly from now on so that the Bupyeong-Yeonan Port Line, which will bring a revolutionary change to public transportation in the old downtown area, can be selected as a preliminary feasibility study project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance next year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.