GTX-A Seoser-Dongtan Section Opens on the 30th

[Suwon Ilbo=Choi Ki-ho·Lee Su-won] The long-awaited Seoser-Dongtan section of the Capital Area Express Railway (GTX) A line opens on the 30th, ushering in the "30-minute commute era" in the Seoul metropolitan area.

In advance, an opening ceremony was held at Seoser Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 29th.

The ceremony was attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il, Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-geun, Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin, Presidential Chief Policy Advisor Sung Tae-yoon, and Presidential Economic Secretary Park Chun-seop, with some 250 residents from Seoul, Seongnam, Yongin, and Hwaseong along the GTX-A section.

The government was represented by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Park Sang-woo, Korea Railroad Corporation President Lee Sung-hae, and Kim Moon-soo, Chair of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, who had proposed the three GTX lines when serving as Gyeonggi Province governor in 2010.

President Yoon stated in his opening remarks that "today will be recorded as a day of revolution in public transportation and national mobility for the Republic of Korea."

The GTX-A line connects Unjeong Station in Paju and Dongtan Station in Hwaseong, spanning a total of 83.1km. The Seoser-Dongtan section (4 stations, 34.9km) opens first and begins operation from the 30th.

The Paju Unjeong-Seoul Station section (6 stations, 48.2km) is scheduled to open by the end of this year. The Seoul Station-Seoser section excluding Samsung Station is expected to open in 2026, and the full section including Samsung Station in 2028.

GTX is a deep underground transit network connecting the Seoul metropolitan area's outer regions with major hubs in Seoul. Deep underground refers to underground space at depths of 40 meters or more below the surface.

The GTX-A line between Dongtan and Seoser stations can be used for 4,450 won, which is cheaper than the existing SRT fare of 7,400 won, and with a travel time of approximately 20 minutes, it is expected to ease commuting challenges in the metropolitan area.

Stops include Dongtan, Seongnam, and Seoser stations, with Goseong Station in Yongin scheduled to open by the end of June. The first train departs from Dongtan Station at 5:30 a.m., with the last train operating around 1:00 a.m. the next day. During the initial opening period, trains during rush hours (06:30-09:00) are scheduled to run at average 17-minute intervals (14-21 minute intervals).

GTX-A fares are structured with a base fare of 3,200 won plus 250 won per 5km over 10km, setting the Seoser-Dongtan section fare at 4,450 won. In addition to Seoul metropolitan area transfer discounts, a K-pass refund system applies, allowing users to receive a refund for rides exceeding 15 times per month. With K-pass refunds applied, the Seoser-Dongtan section costs 3,560 won for general passengers, 3,110 won for youth, and 2,070 won for low-income groups.

Various discount programs are also applied, including ▲50% discount for children, 10% for teenagers, 30% for seniors, and 50% for disabled persons and veterans ▲10% discount on weekend base fares ▲free travel for up to three infants under 6 years old per guardian, which is expected to reduce the burden of using the service.

Hwaseong City has prepared connecting transit measures to improve transfer and convenience with the GTX-A opening. Near Dongtan Station exits, 8 metropolitan bus routes, 17 city bus routes, and 18 shuttle bus routes operate, with inspections and adjustments made for easy access and mobility via buses.

Notably, in coordination with the last train time of GTX-A Dongtan Station, starting March 1st, the H4 late-night bus operation time will be adjusted from the existing 10:10 p.m. to 3:10 a.m. the next day to 10:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

From March 1st, five additional DRT (Hwaseong Smart Buses) will be added to Dongtan 1&2 New Cities, with 20 total in operation. Following the GTX-A opening, Hwaseong City plans to monitor demand and review bus increases and additional bus stops and taxi stands.

Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il stated, "Goseong Station's opening was unavoidably delayed to June due to unexpected rock formations discovered during excavation in deep underground space over 40 meters, and I will ensure the Goseong Station construction proceeds without issue."

Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-geun said, "GTX-A is expected to greatly contribute to resolving commuting traffic congestion as it is superior to existing public transportation in travel time, price competitiveness, and punctuality. We will thoroughly prepare and maintain continuous interest to ensure the entire GTX-A line opens on schedule and do our best to build a rail transit network befitting 'Hwaseong, a city of one million.'"