Line 4 Extension Jinjeop Line Opens on the 19th... Namyangju to Seoul Station in 52 Minutes

Published 18 Mar.2022 10:41(KST)

A train is undergoing test runs ahead of the opening of the Jinjeop Line. (Photo by Korea Rail Network Authority)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The extension of Subway Line 4, Jinjeop Line, connecting Seoul and Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province, will open on the 19th. As a result, the travel time to Seoul for residents of the Namyangju residential districts Byeollae, Onam, and Jinjeop is expected to be significantly reduced.

On the 18th, the Korea Rail Network Authority announced that the Jinjeop Line double-track railway construction project has been completed and will open on the 19th. The Jinjeop Line double-track railway connects the current terminus of Seoul Subway Line 4, Danggogae Station, to Jinjeop Station in Namyangju City, spanning 14.9 km. Approximately 86%, or 12.8 km, of the line was constructed as tunnels. The total project cost was approximately 1.4192 trillion KRW, and it was completed about 10 years after the feasibility study and basic planning began in 2012.

With the opening of the Jinjeop Line, it will be possible to travel from Jinjeop Station to Seoul Station in the city center in just 52 minutes. During rush hours, this reduces travel time by 1 hour and 8 minutes compared to buses and by 18 minutes compared to private cars. Considering the travel demand from Namyangju residential areas, three new stations were established: Byeollae Byeolgaram, Onam Station, and Jinjeop Station. Train operations will be conducted by Seoul Metro, which currently operates Seoul Subway Line 4, while station management will be handled by Namyangju Urban Corporation.

Additionally, to reduce the inflow of train wind and fine dust, all stations have been equipped with fully enclosed platform safety facilities (screen doors). In emergencies, the doors can be opened or closed by safety devices. The line also includes two disaster relief areas and five evacuation staircases to enable rapid evacuation and rescue in case of emergencies. Furthermore, advanced railway systems such as the 4th generation railway integrated wireless network (LTE-R) have been applied to enhance the safety of train operations.

Director Kim Han-young said, “As we move toward a carbon-neutral era, the importance of railways is increasing,” and added, “We hope the opening of the Jinjeop Line will be a turning point in dramatically expanding metropolitan railways.”