Seoul Subway Heating and Cooling Complaints Increase by 60%... Why?

Inside Trains: ‘Same Temperature... Different Feelings’?Knowing This Makes Your Ride More Comfortable

Complaints About Heating and Cooling Discomfort Increased by 59.9% in May 2023 Compared to Last Year

Complaints of ‘Too Hot’ and ‘Too Cold’ Sometimes Received Simultaneously on the Same Train...

Even When Cooling Systems Are Activated Upon Complaints, Individual Perceived Temperatures Differ?Helpful Tips for Comfortable Use

This summer, predicted to bring repeated heatwaves and heavy rains, a battle over heating and cooling complaints is already underway inside subway trains.

Seoul Metro (President Baek Ho) announced that an analysis of complaints received at the customer center as of May this year shows a 59.9% increase in heating and cooling-related complaints compared to the same month last year.

The number of heating and cooling discomfort complaints rose from 159,457 cases in May 2022 to 254,965 cases by the same month this year, marking a 59.9% increase year-over-year.

Complaints surged sharply mainly after April, when the weather starts to warm up.

Airflow Inside the Train

◆‘Too Hot’ and ‘Too Cold’ Complaints Sometimes Received Simultaneously on the Same Train

Even on the same train, some passengers may feel hot while others feel cold at the same time. Generally, the temperature is lower at both ends of the car, so passengers feeling hot can move to the ends of the car, while those feeling cold can move to the center of the car (the mildly cooled seats) or the mildly cooled car.

On Lines 1, 3, and 4, the mildly cooled cars are the 4th and 7th cars; on Lines 5 to 7, the 4th and 5th cars; and on Line 8, the 3rd and 4th cars. Line 2 does not operate mildly cooled cars due to high congestion.

Also, since car temperatures rise when trains are crowded, passengers who are sensitive to heat can use the ‘Ttota Subway’ or ‘TMAP’ apps’ congestion forecast features to choose less crowded cars.

Due to sudden passenger influx and the location of platform stairs, some train cars and end cars become particularly crowded, causing passengers in different areas to perceive temperature differently. As a result, ‘too hot’ and ‘too cold’ complaints can be received simultaneously even within the same train.

◆Train Staff Take Immediate Action Upon Heating and Cooling Complaints... Report via Customer Center or ‘Ttota App’

Heating and cooling complaints are received through the customer center and then relayed to the train operator, who makes announcements regarding the operation of the cooling system.

Complaints can be submitted via phone calls or text messages to the customer center, and conveniently through the ‘Ttota Subway’ application under the complaint report → temperature control tab.

Heating and cooling-related complaints can be easily reported through the complaint report → temperature control tab in the Ttota Subway application.

◆Subway Operates According to Appropriate Temperature Standards... Please Refrain from Reporting Heating and Cooling Issues via Emergency Intercom

Seoul subway follows indoor temperature standards set at 24?26°C in summer and 18?20°C in winter. When temperatures rise or complaints increase, efforts are made to maintain comfort by flexibly operating fans and providing full cooling in congested sections.

When the subway first opened, trains used resistor control systems that generated heat from the floor during braking, causing passengers to feel hot. At that time, the cooling system consisted only of ceiling fans, but now all trains are equipped with air conditioning units.

Some passengers request temperature adjustments via the emergency intercom, but this requires staff to check the situation on-site, which can cause significant delays in operation.

A company official stated, “The emergency intercom is intended for emergencies such as medical incidents. We ask that heating and cooling complaints be submitted through the customer center or the ‘Ttota Subway’ app.”

◆More Comfortable Subway Experience Through Introduction of Trains with Improved Cooling Performance and Regular Cooling Equipment Inspections

Trains are being upgraded to provide a more comfortable subway experience. Seoul Metro has established a plan to replace old trains on Lines 1 to 8 and has been introducing new trains with improved equipment, including air conditioners, since 2014.

This year, new trains are being introduced on Lines 4, 5, and 7, and Lines 2 and 3 have already been fully replaced with new trains. Other lines will be replaced sequentially.

Additionally, the company regularly inspects the operation of air conditioners and cleans and disinfects cooling units, cooling fins, and filters before air conditioner operation to maintain a pleasant environment.

Seo Gil-ho, Director of Sales Support, said, “Heating and cooling inside trains is a matter of great interest to passengers, so our staff always do their best to promptly handle complaints. We are committed to creating a comfortable subway environment through improvements to heating and cooling facilities, continuous inspections, and information promotion. We ask passengers to keep this in mind when using the subway.”

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