Seoul Subway to Increase Train Operations 4 Times on Line 4 and 2 Times on Line 7 During Peak Hours

Starting from the 30th of this month, the number of train operations during peak commuting hours on Subway Lines 4 and 7 will increase. Seoul Metro announced on the 6th that, following the 150 won increase in the basic fare of the Seoul subway from the 7th, the additional revenue from the fare hike will be used to enhance subway service convenience by increasing train frequency.

Accordingly, Line 4 will see a total increase of 4 train operations, including during the morning rush hour. The highest congestion rate on Line 4 (based on 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM) is 186%, making it the most congested among Lines 1 to 8. Congestion rate refers to the ratio of the actual number of passengers on a train to its seating capacity.

Subway turnstile. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The highest congestion rate on Line 4 rose from 162% to 186% after the Jinjeop Line opened in April last year. Seoul Metro expects that with this increase in train frequency, the highest congestion rate on Line 4 will decrease from 186% to 167%.

Line 7 will increase train operations by 2 in total, with one additional train each during the morning and evening rush hours. It is projected that the congestion rate will decrease from a peak of 161% to 148% after the increase.

Seoul Metro had been planning to add 8 train sets totaling 48 cars to alleviate congestion on Line 9 by February next year, but the schedule has been accelerated to gradually introduce the trains starting from the end of December this year. Once the additional trains on Line 9 are fully deployed, the number of train operations during weekday peak hours will increase by 24 in total (12 express trains and 12 regular trains), and the highest congestion rate for express trains is expected to drop from 194% to 163%.

Additionally, as a result of the increased trains, the average interval between trains during weekday peak hours will shorten from 3.6 minutes to 3.1 minutes. The highest congestion rate for regular trains is also expected to decrease from 131% to 110%.

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