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Koreans to start test running with HEMU-400X high-speed train
Tuesday, March 06, 2012

KOREA's Ministry of Land, Transport & Maritime Affairs (MLTM) says test running will commence soon of the HEMU-400X prototype six-car high-speed train developed by Hyundai Rotem and Korea Railroad Research Institute.

"We plan to check whether the train can reach its top speed of 430km/h in August," says MLTM director Mr Lee Kwang-hee. "The prototype HEMU-400X will go through sufficient test runs of more than 10,000km. Should the results be good, it will be able to commercially debut in 2014 or 2015 at the earliest." HEMU-400X is foreseen as an eight or 10-car train depending on the needs of the customer.

A lot is riding on this project, as Korea's previous domestically-designed high-speed train, KTX Sancheon, has suffered from poor reliability caused by equipment failures and malfunctions.

Seoul metro to get 9 new lines
Much-delayed plan is back on track, with some extra additions
July 25,2013



The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced yesterday that it will invest 8.5 trillion won ($7.58 billion) on nine new light rail and subway lines by 2025.

The new tracks, which will total 85.4 kilometers (53.1 miles), are to serve areas that are currently difficult to access by public transit.

An initiative to build seven new light rail lines was initiated in 2007. It was delayed for years for political and financial reasons, but now has been reborn as a nine-track plan. Two additional lines were added for Wirye New Town in Songpa District, southern Seoul.

The nine lines are as follows: Sillim Line (Yeoudio-Seoul National University); Dongbuk Line (Wangsimni-Sanggye); Myeonmok Line (Cheongnyangni-Sinnae-dong); Ui-Sinseol Line (Ui-dong-Banghak-dong); Mokdong Line (Sinwol-dong-Dangsan); Seobu Line (Saejeol-Seoul National University); Nangok Line (Boramae Park-Nanhyang-dong); Wirye-Sinsa Line (Wirye New Town-Sinsa); and Wirye Line (Bokjeong -Macheon).

Line No. 9 will be expanded, with a 3.8 kilometer section added between VHS Hospital and Godeok District.

Of the projected 8.5 trillion won required, the central government will kick in 1.1 trillion won and the city government will invest 3.5 trillion won. The remainder will come from the private sector. The city government has set the basic fare at 1,050 won, the same as it is for other lines.

When the initial plan was announced in 2007 by former Mayor Oh Se-hoon, he said that different fares would apply, but current Mayor Park Won-soon said yesterday that that would only benefit private investors.

“We can’t put too much of a burden on the citizens because these lines are part of the city government’s welfare programs,” Mayor Park said in a press briefing at City Hall.

Private investors are saying that the city should cover the deficit that could stem from the low fares. “We forecast that we’ll need to provide about 3.5 to 4.5 billion won in support to private investors per year,” said Yoon Jun-byeong, director of the city government’s Urban Transportation Department. “Because these lines will be completed at different times, the city government won’t have any trouble supporting the investors.”

As of this month, only the Myeonmok and Seobu lines have attracted private investors. The city government will submit the plan to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by the end of September. It said the ministry will likely approve the plan next year.

KTX to start passenger service to Incheon Airport


A KTX train at Geomam Station on the railroad linking Seoul with Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap file photo)

SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bullet train will begin service to the country's main international airport starting June 30, which is expected to improve convenience for travelers, the state-run rail operator said Monday.

Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) said Korea Train Express (KTX) will go to Incheon International Airport 20 times a day.

People who get on the high-speed trains that serve the airport from provincial cities will no longer have to get off at Seoul or Yongsan stations to transfer to the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) or get on limousine airport buses.

"All they have to do is stay on their KTX that will take them directly to the airport," a KORAIL official said. This can greatly improve convenience for passengers.

The railroad operator said that its maximum speed will be restricted, because the KTX will be using the same railroad track as the slower AREX trains.

It said the KTX will take about an hour to reach the airport from Seoul or Yongsan stations, similar to conventional AREX trains. The company said test runs of the KTX on the route have been going on in earnest since late May.

The high-speed trains will augment the existing trains linking Seoul and the port city of Incheon, the country's main air transport hub.

KORAIL said the KTX will stop once at Geomam Station to pick up passengers from Incheon.

The fare for a person using the KTX from Seoul Station to the airport is 12,500 won (US$12.20), while the fee for trains coming from Yongsan Station is 12,800 won.