Railway Corporation: "Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice's Claim of 'Budget Waste at Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot' Is Not True"

The Korea Rail Network Authority (KR) has directly refuted claims of "budget waste" raised by the civic group Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and the National Railway Union regarding the Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot construction project. This project is being promoted following a government recommendation by SR, the operator of the Suseo High-Speed Railway (SRT), which requires new vehicle maintenance facilities due to the introduction of new high-speed trains. The Rail Network Authority will issue bonds to fully finance the 600 billion KRW budget.

Location map of 'Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot' / Image provided by Korea Rail Network Authority

On the 2nd, the Rail Network Authority issued a press release addressing criticisms that the project overlaps with Korail’s Busan Gaya Vehicle Depot investment, stating, "The Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot by SR has passed the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and is currently undergoing a feasibility study and basic plan development." It added, "Even with upgrades, there is no spare capacity to maintain the 14 newly introduced EMU-320 trainsets by SR, and for efficient maintenance of the SRT, it is deemed necessary to establish the Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot adjacent to Suseo Station."

It further explained, "The Authority will raise funds for the project by issuing bonds, and SR will repay the bonds by paying facility usage fees to the Authority, so the claim of budget waste is not true."

Regarding claims that the Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot lacks mid-level maintenance facilities, the Authority stated, "The SRT mid-level maintenance facilities are planned to be implemented in two phases considering the mid-level maintenance cycle (15 years), and the necessary land for mid-level maintenance will be secured in the first phase." It also addressed concerns about building the depot in a flood-prone area, saying, "Construction will reflect the flood level of the surrounding area (100-year frequency)."

The Authority also rebutted criticisms that the project damages public interest by eliminating agricultural promotion zones, stating, "The vehicle depot is a public project aimed at providing smooth high-speed rail service and safe operation of vehicles," and "According to the 'Act on Acquisition and Compensation of Land for Public Projects' and the 'Farmland Act,' the agricultural promotion zone can be lifted for railway construction."

Additionally, the Rail Network Authority said, "According to the 4th Basic Railway Development Plan, a contract system will be introduced where the vehicle manufacturer participates in integrated maintenance to improve the quality and efficiency of vehicle maintenance. The new high-speed trains will have integrated maintenance contracts with the manufacturer to guarantee quality," and added, "Since the vehicle depot is an operational facility for maintaining railway vehicles, it is reasonable for SR, the operator of the SRT line, to operate the Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot."

Earlier, on the 31st of last month, the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and the Railway Union filed a public audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection, claiming "budget waste" related to the Pyeongtaek Jije Vehicle Depot construction project.

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