Hyundai Rotem Delivers GTX-A Train Cars... "Unjeong~Dongtan Operation"

Sequential delivery of 160 cars... Top speed 180km/h "Faster than the subway"

A delivery ceremony for the GTX-A, which will run on the GTX A line of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Railroad, was held at Hyundai Rotem's Changwon Plant in Gyeongnam. [Image source=Gyeongsangnam-do]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The metropolitan area’s traffic solution, the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX-A), has made its debut. The route connects Paju Unjeong to Hwaseong Dongtan.

Hyundai Rotem announced on the 19th that it held a GTX-A delivery ceremony at its Changwon factory. The event was attended by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Heeryong, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Park Wan-su, National Assembly members Yoon Hoo-duk, Lee Yong-woo, and Hong Jeong-min, Changwon Mayor Hong Nam-pyo, Goyang Mayor Lee Dong-hwan, Korea National Railway Authority Chairman Kim Han-young, SG Rail CEO Jeong Kyung-hoon, Korea Railroad Research Institute President Han Seok-yoon, as well as Hyundai Rotem CEO Lee Yong-bae and representatives from partner companies.

CEO Lee Yong-bae said, "The GTX-A train incorporates 30 years of high-speed train technology and know-how to achieve performance faster than conventional subways," adding, "We will repay the hopes and support of the public by ensuring perfect quality and adhering to schedules."

Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) lines. The red line is Line A. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

GTX builds tracks at a depth of more than 40 meters underground to create a straightened route. It is a metropolitan express railway that connects Seoul and the metropolitan area faster than existing urban rail by deploying vehicles at speeds faster than subways. It is estimated to generate a production inducement effect of 27 trillion KRW and create 190,000 jobs. Due to reduced road traffic, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 440,000 tons annually. It is also anticipated to have a housing stability effect by expanding the areas benefiting from improved transportation.

Following the delivery ceremony, preparations for commercial operation are expected to accelerate. Once GTX-A opens, it will connect Seoul and the metropolitan area within 30 minutes, resolving transportation disparities in the outskirts of the metropolitan area. The train consists of 8 cars per set and will operate on an 82.1 km section with 11 stations connecting Paju Unjeong Station and Hwaseong Dongtan Station after test runs.

Hyundai Rotem secured an order for 160 GTX-A train cars in 2020. Starting with the first set delivered at the ceremony, the remaining vehicles will be delivered sequentially.

The GTX-A train’s maximum speed is 180 km/h, about twice as fast as conventional subway trains that run at 80?100 km/h. It is the first domestic train to apply single-leaf doors used in high-speed trains like the KTX, reducing noise.

Equipped with a facility monitoring system, it is expected to enhance maintenance and safety during train operation. This AI-based system uses cameras mounted on the top of the train to monitor the track and overhead lines in real time for abnormalities.

It also offers various conveniences. Partition panels are installed between seats for more comfortable seating, and a dual obstacle detection system is applied to the doors to prevent entrapment for passenger safety during boarding and alighting.

The passenger cabin is equipped with an air purification system to ensure clean indoor air quality, and the flooring uses eco-friendly antibacterial carpet with anti-slip functionality instead of conventional rubber flooring, creating a safer and more hygienic vehicle.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, "The GTX-A train is a new-concept train featuring differentiated specifications such as single-leaf doors and eco-friendly antibacterial carpets, along with various conveniences," adding, "Starting with the delivery ceremony, we will do our best to supply high-quality trains that satisfy customers from production to delivery."

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