Green Transportation as Solution to Suwon Traffic Problems

Suwon's light rail transit project took shape in October 2006 when a private investment proposal (submitted by GS Construction) was received, and began in earnest with the launch of basic planning services on March 20 of last year.

While arguments and opinions continue that light rail transit, a new form of transportation, should be introduced as an alternative to addressing traffic problems in Suwon, a city of 1 million people, rather than constructing new roads or improving automobile transportation systems, there are also calls for scrapping or postponing the project due to massive project costs and profitability concerns.

Prompted by the Suwon Transportation Forum at the end of last year, we examined the validity and necessity of introducing light rail transit in Suwon and various discussions raised in the process.

● "Light Rail Transit Appropriate for City of 1 Million People Like Suwon"

At the 6th Suwon Transportation Forum held on December 23 of last year, arguments were presented that light rail transit is necessary to improve public transportation in Suwon.

Professor Lee Chul-ki of Ajou University presented a proposal titled "Direction of Future Transportation Policy for Suwon" in which he argued that rail transport modal share should be improved to revitalize public transportation in the Suwon region.

Specifically, the opinion is that light rail transit should be introduced to diversify public transportation services and systematically build an urban public transportation network.

Dr. Lee An-ho (Senior Researcher at the Korea Railroad Technology Research Institute) argues that given the limited urban space in Suwon's city center, it is difficult to construct new roads, and light rail transit should be introduced to reduce environmental pollution and economic losses caused by traffic congestion.

Forum participants who attended that day also presented the opinion that light rail transit introduction is justified to solve traffic problems in the metropolitan city of Suwon, which has surpassed 1 million people.

Professor Seo Kwang-seok of Korea Railroad University suggested, "We should move from car-oriented transportation policy to light rail transit, a low-carbon green transportation mode."

Professor Oh Se-chang of Ajou University also stated, "Suwon, with a population exceeding 1 million, has reached an appropriate time for light rail transit introduction," and even suggested ways it could be utilized in combination with the World Cultural Heritage site 'Hwaseong.'

● "Light Rail Transit Should Be Reviewed Carefully"

On the other hand, calls for scrapping the project continue to be raised citing business viability and environmental concerns.

When the city began in earnest the basic planning project for Suwon Urban Railway last March, calls for scrapping the light rail transit project began to surface within the city council.

At that time, the city council raised arguments that the light rail project should be promoted step by step after considering modal share upon completion of Bundang Line and Shinbundang Line, or reviewing other transportation means.

Furthermore, according to a 2008 administrative audit report, the city council's General Affairs and Development Committee questioned the viability of light rail transit with project costs near 1 trillion won (941.9 billion won) and requested either scrapping or implementation after 2013.

At the 6th Transportation Forum, Dr. Lee An-ho also analyzed that inefficiencies or lack of professionalism in the light rail transit project implementation process, along with massive additional costs such as operating expenses besides construction and vehicle procurement costs, could make profitability and business viability unclear.

To address this, Dr. Lee An-ho emphasized the need for meticulous planning such as reflecting light rail transit plans in city planning, securing expertise, and flexible government financial support.

Professor Lee Jin-seon of Woosong University also presented the opinion that "whether automobile use can be absorbed into light rail transit is the key," and that "securing construction costs and operating know-how is necessary."

● "Considering Light Rail for 2020 Urban Master Plan and Dongtan District 2"

In response, the city takes the position that construction could begin in 2013 after establishing the urban railway basic plan, designating the project operator, and obtaining approval of the implementation plan.

A city official stated, "Even if we take sufficient time for planning and review, construction can begin after 2013," and added, "We should review thoroughly considering connections with existing lines such as Shinbundang Line, establishing interchange systems, and residents' transportation convenience."

For this reason, the city is currently in a provisional hold on establishing the Suwon Urban Railway basic planning project. The city will proceed with light rail planning after observing progress in establishing the "2020 Suwon Urban Master Plan (Amendment)" and the regional transportation improvement measures for Dongtan District 2 under review by Gyeonggi Province.

Related to this, the province is known to be reviewing, as one alternative, a light rail-type guided transit system that networks Dongtan District 2 with nearby areas including Gwanggyo New City, Yeongdeung District, and Byeongjeom Station area.

Kim Bong-hee, Director of the Urban Railway Division, stated, "The 2020 urban master plan amendment project is underway, and since national railway plans involving Suwon such as the subway between Indeokwon and Byeongjeom and urban railway for Dongtan District 2 have not been finalized, we have suspended the urban railway project," and noted that comprehensive and systematic review will be conducted.

※ What is Suwon Light Rail Transit?
Suwon's light rail transit, being promoted through a BTO (Build-Transfer-Operate) method with private investment and private operation, is an urban railway with a total length of 18.75 km connecting Seryu Station, Gwanggyo, Jeongja District, and Sungkyunkwan University Station, and is planned to invest 941.9 billion won in project costs. Currently, basic planning projects including route plans are underway.