GTX Era '22-Minute Speed Revolution'... Paju Citizens Say "Experiencing a New World"

Survey of 2,618 Paju Citizens
44.8% Use GTX-A for Commuting, 45% for Leisure
68.1% Experience Commute Time Reduction of Over 30 Minutes
91.2% Say "More Leisure Time Has Improved Quality of Life"

GTX-A, which opened last December, is bringing remarkable changes to the daily lives of Paju citizens. On local community bulletin boards, voices of citizens sharing positive experiences abound, such as "After riding GTX-A myself, I truly realized why GTX is called a transportation revolution," "It feels like receiving a gift beyond expectations," and "GTX is a blessing bestowed upon the citizens of Paju."

Graphic of survey for GTX users. Provided by Paju City.

According to Paju City on the 13th, a survey conducted at the end of January with 2,618 Paju citizens showed that 99.4% of respondents were well aware of the exact opening date, indicating high interest. Those who responded that they had used GTX within a month of opening reached 82.8%. Satisfaction with the line usage was also very high at 91.2% (66.1% very satisfied, 25.1% satisfied).

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the cumulative number of users on the GTX-A section from Paju Unjeongjungang Station to Seoul Station reached nearly 1 million, recording 983,240 users as of January 23, four weeks after opening, exceeding four times the number of users during the same period after the opening of the Suseo-Dongtan section.

While the Suseo-Dongtan section, which shares tracks with the SRT, has an average train interval of about 17 minutes, the Paju Unjeong to Seoul section uses a dedicated track, allowing the interval to be significantly reduced to the 10-minute range. This is analyzed as the decisive factor causing the difference between the two sections.

According to SG Rail Co., Ltd., the operator of the GTX-A northwest section, during the same period, the proportion of users at Paju Unjeongjungang Station was 21.4% of total users, and the five stops excluding the still incomplete Changneung Station showed relatively even demand.

When asked about the purpose of using GTX-A, 44.8% responded with "commuting." Although 45% said they used it for leisure, considering that many early users might have been curious, the proportion of commuters is certainly high.

The group most sensitive to changes brought by the GTX opening and adapting the fastest are office workers who commute daily between Paju and Seoul. According to the survey, a significant number of commuters have been regularly using GTX since the first month after opening. Among the 2,618 respondents, 971 who said they use GTX for commuting were asked about their weekly usage frequency; 49.6% said 5 times a week, followed by 11.8% for 3 times a week, 10.6% for 7 or more times, 6.4% for 6 times, 8.0% for 4 times, and 5.5% for once a week.

Within a month of opening, trains departing from Unjeongjungang Station passing through Ilsan KINTEX and Daegok became fully seated, with an increasing number of standing passengers. As February began, those who had been observing joined the GTX commuting ranks one after another, and it became common to see trains departing from Unjeong already fully occupied.

GTX-A opening ceremony. Provided by Paju City

For citizens experiencing GTX-A for the first time, the greatest gift brought by the so-called 'GTX transportation revolution' is the groundbreaking 'travel time reduction effect.' The time taken to travel the 32.3 km section from Paju Unjeongjungang Station to Seoul Station is only 21 minutes and 30 seconds. On weekdays, traveling the same section by Gyeongui-Jungang Line train takes 46 minutes, by express bus an average of 66 minutes, and during rush hours up to 90 minutes, reducing travel time by more than 30 to 40 minutes.

At Paju Unjeongjungang Station, the bus stop and station concourse are directly connected, and there are eight high-speed elevators that connect the ticket gates to the platforms at a speed of 150 meters per second, significantly reducing transfer time.

Thanks to GTX-A's remarkable travel time reduction, commuting time has noticeably decreased. Among 981 respondents who said they use GTX-A for commuting to Seoul, 33.6% said their one-way commute time was reduced by about 30 to 40 minutes, 9.1% said it was reduced by 50 to 60 minutes, and 8.3% said it was reduced by more than 60 minutes.

Office worker A, who described himself as a "car commuter who barely made it to work after waking up," said his lifestyle completely changed after GTX opened. He said, "I used to drive out at 6:20 a.m. every day, breaking through the congested Jayuro Road, and it took 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the office. But now, even if I leave an hour later than usual, I can arrive at the office at the same time," adding, "This is why GTX is a transportation revolution."

Resident B from Yadang-dong said, "Before GTX opened, I worried about getting home after work, so I couldn't even enjoy hobbies or have a relaxed dinner with colleagues. This lifestyle changed 180 degrees overnight."

The dazzling speed of GTX has integrated Paju and Seoul, which once felt somewhat distant, into a same-time living zone. One citizen described this change as a "transcendence of time and space," saying, "Using GTX makes Seoul feel like a neighboring town."

Paju citizens using the GTX-A. Provided by Paju City

The number of Paju citizens enjoying outings to Seoul by GTX is also rapidly increasing.

Among the 2,618 respondents, 976 (45% of total users) said their purpose of using GTX was "to enjoy leisure." When asked what improved after GTX opened, 44.6% responded "increased leisure activities in Seoul," ranking just after "reduced commuting and school travel time" (45.7%). Additionally, 5.2% said "increased learning and educational opportunities in Seoul." The opening of GTX-A is bringing about the effect of integrating Seoul and Paju into a same-time living zone.

As the number of GTX users rapidly increases, demands for improved usage environments are also rising.

When asked about inconveniences related to using GTX trains, 51.5% of respondents cited train intervals during rush hours, 26.2% mentioned insufficient frequency of operation, and 14.6% pointed out the lack of ATM machines or commercial facilities.

A Paju city official said, "We expect GTX-A, which has brought remarkable changes to citizens' daily lives, to become a catalyst for Paju's development as a self-sufficient city of one million."

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