Paju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea – Residents of Unjeong New Town in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, are beaming with joy after experiencing the dramatic improvements to their daily lives following the December 28th opening of the GTX-A line connecting Seoul Station and Unjeong Central Station.
Two weeks after the launch, residents have unanimously cited the "convenience of commuting" as the most significant benefit.
Lee Young-min, a 44-year-old resident of Unjeong 3-dong, shared that his morning commute to his office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, has been reduced by 30 minutes. Previously, his journey involved a 1-hour and 20-minute trip on the Gyeongui Line, but now he can reach Seoul Station in just 22 minutes via the GTX. "With the extra time in the morning, I can even enjoy a leisurely breakfast," Lee said.
The reduced commute time has also led to a diversification of transportation options. Residents no longer have to endure long waits for buses during cold weather, as they can now easily access the GTX by taking the subway.
The opening of the GTX-A line has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of passengers using the Gyeongui Central Line. It is estimated that the number of daily commuters at Unjeong Station and Yadang Station has dropped by about 15%.
A Paju city official attributed the significant impact of the GTX opening to the insufficient number of connecting bus routes in Seoul compared to the Suseo-Dongtan section of the GTX-A line. "Despite the slightly higher fares, residents have expressed satisfaction with the 30-minute reduction in their commute time," the official said.
Another notable outcome of the GTX-A opening is the integration of Unjeong New Town into Seoul's living sphere. Some residents have even remarked that the GTX has "saved a city."
Yun Jeong-sik, a 34-year-old office worker in Yadang-dong, said, "Before the GTX, I often declined work dinners in Seoul due to the high cost of taxis. Now, I can simply leave my car and return home via the GTX."
Shin Eun-ji, an 18-year-old resident of Unjeong 1-dong, shared, "My friends and I used to hang out in the central commercial district of Unjeong or nearby Ilsan on weekends. But now, we've decided to meet in Hongdae (Seoul). The GTX has significantly reduced the psychological distance to Seoul."
With the increased free time, local businesses are also starting to see a revival. The number of families dining out has increased as residents can now return home earlier. Additionally, there has been a surge in inquiries about foreign language courses and fitness centers, particularly among young people.
A representative of a local business association expressed optimism about the future, stating, "While we were initially concerned about the impact of the GTX on our businesses, we are now seeing a gradual increase in evening customers, especially office workers."
Lee Seung-chul, the chairman of the Unjeong New Town Association, emphasized that the GTX has not only reduced congestion on the Gyeongui Central Line and Gyeongin Expressway but has also improved the overall traffic flow. However, he expressed disappointment that the frequency of GTX trains between Unjeong Central Station and Seoul Station had been increased to 10 minutes instead of the promised 6 minutes during peak hours.
"Residents are eagerly awaiting the realization of the 6-minute interval, which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport had originally promised for the first quarter of this year," Lee said.
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