Seoul City to Begin Main Construction of 'Wirye Line Tram'... Revival of Seoul Tram After 57 Years

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Project Approval, Opening in September 2025... Introduction of Ultra-Low-Floor Vehicles to Improve Accessibility for Transportation-Disadvantaged
Macheon Station~Bokjeong Station·Namwirye Station... Total Length 5.4 km, 12 Stations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced that the project plan for the Wirye Line (Tram) urban railway construction project was approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 28th, and that the main construction will begin at the end of November.

The streetcar (tram) was first introduced in 1899 and operated for about 70 years until 1968. When it opens in September 2025, the Seoul tram will be revived after 57 years. The Wirye Line (Tram) urban railway is an eco-friendly new transportation project connecting a total of 12 stations (3 transfer stations) over a total length of 5.4 km, linking Macheon Station (Line 5) to Bokjeong Station (Line 8, Suin-Bundang Line) and Namwirye Station (Line 8) by streetcar (tram).

The vehicles will be the first in Korea to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve accessibility for the transportation disadvantaged by installing electric batteries on the top of the vehicles, making them ultra-low-floor vehicle structures. In particular, since overhead wires, which supply electricity to the vehicles, are not required, the urban landscape will not be impaired.

The vehicle depot will be fully underground, and the surface will be developed into parks and green spaces to provide resting areas for local residents. A cable-type bridge harmonizing with the waterside park will be constructed over Jangji Stream, which the Wirye Line passes through, and an observatory, pedestrian paths, and bicycle roads will be installed for users, making it a landmark representing the area by considering both design and convenience.

Kim Seong-bo, head of Seoul City’s Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, said, “We will carefully manage the schedule and safety to ensure there are no setbacks for the opening in September 2025,” and added, “The introduction of the eco-friendly new transportation mode, the tram, is expected to greatly contribute to alleviating public transportation inconveniences in Wirye New Town and revitalizing the local economy.”

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