First of 168 new cars arrives at Hopo depot

New trains feature LTE-R radio network, auto fire suppression and upgraded cooling

The first new train set for Busan Metro Line 2 arrives at the Hopo depot. [Busan Transportation Corporation]
The first new train set for Busan Metro Line 2 arrives at the Hopo depot. [Busan Transportation Corporation]

Busan Transportation Corporation said Thursday it had delivered the first new train set for Metro Line 2 to the Hopo depot in Dongmyeon, Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province.

The delivery marks the first unit in the first phase of a broader fleet replacement program covering 56 train sets, or 336 cars in total. The first phase covers 28 sets, or 168 cars. The corporation signed a manufacturing contract for the first-phase trains in December 2024, and the cars have since gone through design, production and testing before arriving at the depot. The remaining first-phase trains will be delivered in sequence and undergo test runs before entering commercial service in 2027.

Among the key upgrades is an improved communications environment for the onboard signaling system, which receives and processes signals from above-ground infrastructure to control train movement. The new trains switch from a short-range communications protocol to the LTE-R railway integrated radio network, enabling more stable data transmission between moving trains and ground-based signal control equipment.

The trains also come equipped with an automatic fire suppression system that discharges extinguishing agent when a fire is detected in the battery compartment beneath the car body, bolstering early fire response and passenger safety.

An upgraded air-conditioning control system allows cabin temperatures to be adjusted based on passenger density, route section and time of day. Glass partitions have been installed beside seats near the doors to reduce crowding during boarding and alighting, among other passenger comfort improvements.

The train design reflects the identity of Metro Line 2. The exterior features a streamlined front end and high-gloss glass panels intended to convey the future direction of Busan's transit system, while the line's signature green color has been reinterpreted in a contemporary style to harmonize with the above-ground sections of the route and the surrounding urban landscape.

Park Myeong-do, acting president of Busan Transportation Corporation, said the corporation would push ahead with the remaining replacement work without delay to improve the safety and convenience of metro passengers.


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com