President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the inauguration of a segment of the Great Train Express (GTX)-A commuter rail line in the southern part of Seoul on Friday. It is the realization of a campaign promise to reduce travel time between the capital and its outskirts to around 30 minutes.
President Yoon Suk Yeol at Dongtan Station in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, following a test-run on a portion of the Great Train Express-A (GTX-A). This higher-speed commuter rail system links Suseo and Dongtan stations to improve connectivity in the region.
President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his vision on Friday for the expansion of the GTX network, likening it to the Crossrail in London and the RER in Paris. He envisions this commuter rail system as a vital component of South Korea’s transportation infrastructure, enhancing connectivity between Seoul and its surrounding areas.
The president’s remarks come amid concerns over housing affordability and long commutes, particularly among young people in greater Seoul. High living costs and extended travel times have deterred many from pursuing marriage and starting families, highlighting the importance of initiatives like the GTX-A line, which aims to alleviate these challenges.
President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed the importance of the GTX during a ceremony at Suseo Station. Passengers traveling from Suseo Station in southern Seoul to Dongtan in Gyeonggi Province will now enjoy a mere 20-minute journey, just one-fourth of the time it takes by bus.
Drawing parallels to monumental transportation milestones in South Korea’s history, Yoon likened the opening of the GTX-A line to the inauguration of the Gyeongbu Expressway in 1970 and the launch of the high-speed train KTX in 2004.
The government is allocating a budget of 134 trillion won (£78.8bn) for the Great Train eXpress (GTX) project. The introduction of the GTX will become one of the world’s fastest underground systems upon full operation.
Trains will travel at speeds of up to 112 mph, providing a rapid and efficient mode of transportation for commuters. Land Minister Park Sang-woo emphasized the social impact of the GTX, noting that it will enable young people to consider residing in areas further away from the capital without enduring lengthy commutes.
This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on individuals juggling long work hours and commuting times, ultimately promoting a better work-life balance and creating opportunities for leisure activities.
