Those of you living in Korea will probably know Bundang, one of the first “new towns” in Korea and one of the wealthiest places in Gyeonggi Province. Until 2011, this large neighborhood heavily relied on express buses for traveling to/from Seoul, as the Bundang Line, due to its slow speed and poor accessibility in Seoul, failed to properly serve its purpose. It took 35~40 minutes from Bundang to Seoul(Gangnam) using express buses, and 45 minutes using the Bundang Line, with transfer to Line 2 at Seolleung.
With the arrival of the Shinbundang Line (literally, the New Bundang Line), all of that changed. Using the Shinbundang Line, one of the newest metropolitan subway lines of Seoul, it takes 16 minutes from Jeongja Station, which is located at the heart of Bundang, to Gangnam Station in Seoul. This is more than two times faster than existing means of transportation, making it the fastest way to travel between Bundang and Seoul. Also, with the transfer to Line 3 at Yangjae Station and Line 2 at Gangnam Station, one can easily move to other areas of Seoul, such as the downtown and other notable areas such as Sinchon and Jamsil. Also, this line goes through the Pan-gyo new city, which is currently being developed at west of Bundang.
However, with the fast speed comes the cost – since the Shinbundang Line was built with private funds, the fare is rather expensive. The fare from Jeongja to Gangnam \2,150 (around $2.15 in USD) for adults, more than two times expensive compared to other subway lines (\1,050, around $1.05 in USD) and slightly more expensive than express buses (\2,100, around $2.1 USD). So, if you are planning to cut on your transportation expenses, you may need to think again before using this line. Also, those of you living at the northern end of Bundang (such as Yatap) may be better off using the existing Bundang Line or express buses, as heading backwards to Jeongja to take the Shinbundang Line takes more time.
With the arrival of the Shinbundang Line (literally, the New Bundang Line), all of that changed. Using the Shinbundang Line, one of the newest metropolitan subway lines of Seoul, it takes 16 minutes from Jeongja Station, which is located at the heart of Bundang, to Gangnam Station in Seoul. This is more than two times faster than existing means of transportation, making it the fastest way to travel between Bundang and Seoul. Also, with the transfer to Line 3 at Yangjae Station and Line 2 at Gangnam Station, one can easily move to other areas of Seoul, such as the downtown and other notable areas such as Sinchon and Jamsil. Also, this line goes through the Pan-gyo new city, which is currently being developed at west of Bundang.
However, with the fast speed comes the cost – since the Shinbundang Line was built with private funds, the fare is rather expensive. The fare from Jeongja to Gangnam \2,150 (around $2.15 in USD) for adults, more than two times expensive compared to other subway lines (\1,050, around $1.05 in USD) and slightly more expensive than express buses (\2,100, around $2.1 USD). So, if you are planning to cut on your transportation expenses, you may need to think again before using this line. Also, those of you living at the northern end of Bundang (such as Yatap) may be better off using the existing Bundang Line or express buses, as heading backwards to Jeongja to take the Shinbundang Line takes more time.
(Image Copyright goes to Yonhap News)
All trains of the Shinbundang Line are operated driver-free. With the state-of-art technology, RF-CBTC, trains are controlled using radio waves from the central control center located at Pan-gyo new city. Because of this, there is no driver’s seat on these trains, and one can see inside the tunnel at the front and back of the train. Between Pangyo and Chonggyesan station, where the border between Seoul and Gyeonggi Province is located, the lights are rainbow-colored, decorating the dark tunnel.
As of now, the Shinbundang Line only operates from Gangnam to Jeongja, but further extensions are planned. To the north of Gangnam, the line is planned to extend to Yongsan for transfers to Line 1 and Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Gwanghwamun, which is located near the center of Seoul’s downtown. This extension toward north is planned to open after 2020. To the south, an extension to Gwanggyo new town in Suwon City is under construction, planned to open in Feburary 2016, which will enable those living in Suji region of Yongin and Gwanggyo to commute to Seoul more quickly. More extensions are planned further into Suwon City, ending at Homaesil New Town being developed at the western end of the city, planned to open after 2019. When all the constructions are finished, more people are going to see the effect of this fast and convenient subway line (including me, who live in Suwon City...)
All trains of the Shinbundang Line are operated driver-free. With the state-of-art technology, RF-CBTC, trains are controlled using radio waves from the central control center located at Pan-gyo new city. Because of this, there is no driver’s seat on these trains, and one can see inside the tunnel at the front and back of the train. Between Pangyo and Chonggyesan station, where the border between Seoul and Gyeonggi Province is located, the lights are rainbow-colored, decorating the dark tunnel.
As of now, the Shinbundang Line only operates from Gangnam to Jeongja, but further extensions are planned. To the north of Gangnam, the line is planned to extend to Yongsan for transfers to Line 1 and Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Gwanghwamun, which is located near the center of Seoul’s downtown. This extension toward north is planned to open after 2020. To the south, an extension to Gwanggyo new town in Suwon City is under construction, planned to open in Feburary 2016, which will enable those living in Suji region of Yongin and Gwanggyo to commute to Seoul more quickly. More extensions are planned further into Suwon City, ending at Homaesil New Town being developed at the western end of the city, planned to open after 2019. When all the constructions are finished, more people are going to see the effect of this fast and convenient subway line (including me, who live in Suwon City...)