Express trains at Noryangjin, Express Bus Terminal and Sinnonhyeon stations follow close behind

Seoul Metropolitan Government to run two consecutive express trains from Nov. 16

Passengers wait for a subway train at Gimpo Airport Station on Seoul Metro Line 9. [Yonhap]
Passengers wait for a subway train at Gimpo Airport Station on Seoul Metro Line 9. [Yonhap]

Dongjak Station on Seoul Metro Line 9 recorded the highest congestion level on the line this year, with express trains carrying nearly twice their rated passenger capacity. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand express train service starting next month to ease crowding by about 20 percent.

According to data submitted to People Power Party lawmaker Shin Seong-beom of the National Assembly's Land and Transport Committee by Seoul Metro Line 9, express trains passing through Dongjak Station recorded a congestion rate of 190 percent.

That was the highest figure measured at any station on the line from January through September this year. The congestion rate is a percentage expressing the ratio of actual passengers on board to the train's total capacity, including both seated and standing room. A rate of 190 percent means the train carried 1.9 times its rated capacity — equivalent to 190 people riding a train designed for 100.

Among express train stops, Noryangjin Station ranked second with a congestion rate of 187 percent, followed by Express Bus Terminal Station at 179 percent and Sinnonhyeon Station at 167 percent.

Local trains were somewhat less crowded. Noryangjin Station recorded 156 percent, followed by Saetgang Station at 151 percent, Yeouido Station at 143 percent, Nodeul Station at 130 percent and Dongjak Station at 122 percent.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently announced plans to adjust the ratio of express to local trains by time of day to address the line's persistent overcrowding. Starting Nov. 16, trains running from Gaehwa Station toward Central Veterans Hospital Station between 5:40 a.m. and 7 a.m. will shift from the current pattern of one express followed by one local train to two consecutive express trains followed by one local.

The overhaul is expected to add eight more train runs during morning hours and shorten the headway between express trains. The city projects that congestion on inbound express trains during the morning rush will drop 20.4 percentage points, from 192.5 percent to 172.1 percent, while outbound express trains will improve 8.1 percentage points, from 182.3 percent to 174.2 percent.

"Improving the transport capacity of Seoul Metro Line 9 — notorious as a 'hell train' — is clearly necessary," Shin said. "We need to actively consider not only adjusting train operations but also adding new rolling stock."


ikson@heraldcorp.com