Seoul, South Korea – January 10, 2025 – The Gyeonggi-do provincial government announced today that the Gyoewayeon Line, a key east-west railway connecting Goyang, Yangju, and Uijeongbu cities, will resume operations on January 11, 2025. The line, which was suspended in 2004 due to declining ridership, has been undergoing extensive renovations and safety upgrades for nearly three years.   

The Gyoewayeon Line, initially opened in 1961, served as a vital transportation link between Seoul and popular tourist destinations such as Songchu Valley and Jangheung Arboretum. However, with the development of road infrastructure, including the Seoul Ring Expressway, and the expansion of subway networks, ridership dwindled, leading to the cessation of passenger services.

To meet the long-standing demand for the line's reopening, the provincial government, along with Korea Railroad Corporation and Korea Railroad Construction Corporation, signed a memorandum of understanding in August 2021. Since then, a significant investment of 49.7 billion won has been poured into renovating the line's infrastructure, including tracks, roadbeds, and signaling systems.

The Mugunghwa trains that will operate on the Gyoewayeon Line have also undergone a complete makeover, featuring a retro-inspired interior design that aims to evoke nostalgia among older generations while appealing to younger demographics.

Starting from January 11, eight round trips will be operated daily between Daegok Station and Uijeongbu Station, stopping at five other stations along the way. The travel time between the two terminal stations is approximately 50 minutes.   

To encourage ridership, a promotional fare of 1,000 won will be offered for all trips until the end of January. Regular fares will be 2,600 won per trip.   

The reopening of the Gyoewayeon Line is expected to revitalize the region's transportation network and boost tourism. With Daegok Station now connected to the GTX-A express train line, residents of Uijeongbu and Yangju will have improved access to Seoul.

"The resumption of Gyoewayeon Line services marks a significant milestone for our railway system," said Yoon Jin-hwan, Director-General of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. "We expect many passengers to reminisce about the old days of train travel. Additionally, the connection to the GTX-A line at Daegok Station will enhance accessibility to Seoul."

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]