The suburban line connecting the northern region from Goyang-si to Uijeongbu-si in Gyeonggi-do has resumed operation after 21 years. The travel time from Daegok Station to Uijeongbu Station will be shortened to 50 minutes, which is expected to strengthen the connectivity of northern Gyeonggi-do railway transportation and contribute to the revitalization of regional tourism.
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[Korea Today] Gwangju Line resumes operation after 21 years… Daegok Station ~ Uijeongbu Station 50 minutes © Reporter Seung-ju Ji |
The suburban line connecting Goyang-si and Yangju-si in northern Gyeonggi-do to Uijeongbu-si resumed operation on the 11th. The suburban line first began operation in 1963, but was discontinued in 2004 due to a decrease in ridership. Since then, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Uijeongbu-si, and Yangju-si have worked with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, the Korea Railroad Corporation, and the Korea Railroad Corporation to resume operation, marking a new beginning after 21 years.
The Gwangju Line stops at six stations, including Daegok Station, Wonreung Station, Iryeong Station, Jangheung Station, Songchu Station, and Uijeongbu Station, and operates eight times a day (four times each way) during rush hours. After going through a stabilization process, the number of operations will be increased to 20 times a day (10 times each way).
The full fare is set at 2,600 won, but for the month of January, to encourage operation, you can use the service at a discounted rate of 1,000 won. Tickets can be purchased through the Korail Talk app or at station counters.
In particular, with the reopening of the Gwangju Line, the travel time from Daegok Station to Uijeongbu Station will be shortened from 90 minutes to 50 minutes, and accessibility and connectivity in the northern part of the metropolitan area are expected to improve significantly. In addition, tourism demand to areas with excellent natural scenery, such as Jangheung and Songchu, through which the Gwangju Line passes, is expected to increase.
The reopening of the suburban line is also significant for the revitalization of railway traffic in northern Gyeonggi Province. Daegok Station, where the suburban line connects, is located as a key point for railway traffic where five lines intersect: the Ilsan Line, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Seohae Line, and the GTX-A Line (Capital Area Express Railway), which is scheduled to open in 2024. A Goyang City official said, “We expect the reopening of the suburban line to revitalize railway traffic centered on Daegok Station.”
Meanwhile, city officials urged thorough caution to prevent safety accidents, considering the characteristics of the suburban line that has been out of service for a long time. They emphasized, “Please follow the railroad safety rules, such as making sure to stop at railroad crossings and prohibiting unauthorized passage on the tracks.”
The reopening of the Gyeonggi Line is expected to increase transportation convenience for residents in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, strengthen connectivity between regions, and have a positive impact on revitalizing tourism and developing the local economy.
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