Seoul Subway Line 3 New Trains Begin Operation on the 14th... 15 Units to Be Introduced Sequentially

Replacement of old vehicles from the 1990s, first replacement in 2009-2010 after 10 years
Complete replacement of monitors announcing alighting stations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Metro Corporation will introduce 15 new subway cars on Line 3 following Line 5, starting operation from the 14th of this month. The new subway cars have enhanced passenger safety and convenience by installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) and mobile phone chargers, as well as expanding seat width.

The new subway cars adopt the variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) system to replace the trains introduced in the early 1990s. They share the same specifications as the new Line 5 trains that began operation on the 9th of this month, featuring onboard CCTV, wireless fast chargers for mobile phones, improved LED interior lighting, and the introduction of six-seat benches.

The subway cars are equipped with four CCTV cameras per car, four air quality improvement devices per car, double-connected passageway partitions, and LED lighting with automatic brightness adjustment. Wireless phone chargers are installed in four cars, each capable of charging four phones simultaneously, incorporating new technologies. The introduction of six-seat benches increases the seat width from 435 mm to 480 mm per seat, with seats reserved for pregnant women widened by 30 mm compared to regular seats. To ensure convenience for transportation-vulnerable passengers, the trains have also obtained BF (Barrier Free) certification from the Korea Disabled Development Institute.

The LED lighting system in the cars automatically adjusts brightness according to external light conditions, achieving energy savings on above-ground sections during clear days. Using a brightness sensor installed on the front window of the driver's cabin, when the external brightness exceeds a set threshold, the system dims the car lighting to 70%, outputting only 30% of the usual brightness to conserve energy.

One of the major inconveniences for passengers using the existing Line 3 trains?the onboard monitors?has also been updated. The previous monitors, installed in the center of the train cars in the early 2000s for subway advertising, were criticized for being difficult to read for information such as upcoming stations. However, due to legal disputes with advertising companies, replacing them was challenging. The new trains feature two LCD monitors installed above the doors: one displays information such as train congestion and upcoming stations, while the other plays public service advertisements and videos, improving visibility.

Seoul Metro Corporation has been promoting the Line 3 train replacement project since 2018. Following a public bidding process, Dawonsys was selected as the manufacturer. The first train was completed in 2020, with test runs beginning in July last year. Operation approval was obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport earlier this month, allowing the trains to be deployed. The remaining 14 trains will be introduced sequentially after completing the necessary procedures.

The corporation has established a plan to replace aging trains in a timely manner and is proceeding with the project without delay. Following the completion of Line 2 train replacements this year, the replacement of the initial trains on Line 7 is also scheduled to begin. Seoul Metro is requesting additional government funding to expedite the overall replacement project.

Ansangdeok, Head of the Vehicle Headquarters, stated, “Following Line 5, the introduction of new trains on Line 3, where passenger numbers are gradually increasing, is expected to improve the safety and convenience of the Seoul subway.” He added, “Since many old trains still need to be replaced in the future, we hope the government will provide additional financial support to ensure smooth project progress.”

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