Shinbundang Line

Shinbundang Line / DX Line 신분당선（新盆唐線） Sinbundangseon Gangnam Station platform Statistics Type Rapid transit System Seoul Metropolitan Subway Status Operational Termini Gangnam Jeongja No. of stations 6 Operation Opened 28 October 2011 Operator(s) NeoTrans Co. Ltd. Technical Line length 17.3 km (10.7 mi) No. of tracks 2  Route diagram

The Shinbundang Line (aka Sinbundang Line; Korean: 신분당선 (literally, New Bundang Line)) or DX Line is a 17.3 km long line of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. It is the world's fifth^[1] subway to run completely driverless and the second completely driverless metro line to open in South Korea, after Busan Subway Line 4. It connects Gangnam Station and Jeongja Station in less than 16 minutes, which takes 30–35 minutes by express buses or 45 minutes using the Bundang Line, a feat achieved by being the first line to operate South Korea's next-generation subway car travelling at over 90 km/h.^[2]

The initial route passes through 6 stations intersecting with three existing lines at Gangnam Station (Line 2), Yangjae Station (Line 3), and Jeongja Station (Bundang Line). Phase 2 will add several stops to the southern end and Phase 3 is a 7.5 km extension northward from Gangnam station to Yongsan and both are currently under construction. The northern extension will extend the line north-west of Gangnam where it will cross several additional lines before ending at Yongsan Station. This additional stretch is estimated to cost at least 400 billion won.^[3]

An existing Bundang Maintenance depot, owned by KNR and located about 1 km south of Jeongja Station, is used for the SBL Project rolling stock maintenance. The SBL Line signal system is based on state-of-the-art communications-based train control (CBTC) technology, utilizing two-way digital radio communications between intelligent trains, and wayside equipment, and a network of ATS/ATO computers designed for very high system reliability and availability. Construction started in mid-2005, for revenue start in Sep 2011. However, because of the flooding of late July 2011, the opening was delayed and eventually opened on 28 October 2011.^[4][5]

The price to ride the Shinbundang Line is higher than standard fare for the rest of the Seoul subway system. The cost is currently 1,750 won to ride.^[6]

Phases

Transfer gate to Seoul Subway Line 2 at Gangnam Station.

Shinbundang line train at Gangnam Station.

Shinbundang line trains at Bundang depot.

Phase 1 is expected to alleviate some of the traffic from inner Seoul to Bundang which is mainly residential and within the greater Seoul area. The line is 17.3 km and intersects with several subway lines in south-eastern Seoul as well as with the Bundang Line. Travel from one end to the other is 16 minutes. Construction lasted for roughly six years starting in mid-2005 and ended at the end of October, 2011. Total cost between public and private sectors is estimated at 1.169 trllion won.^[7][8][9]

Phase 2 is a southern extension totaling 12.7 km currently under construction. The official station names at this point stand at SB1~SB5 ending in Gwanggyo. A groundbreaking ceremony signaled the start of construction with the planned projected completion in 2016.^[7]

Phase 3 will extend the northern side of the line from Gangnam where it will intersect Seoul Subway lines 1, 3 (again), 7, 9, and Jungang. It will cross the Han River and head west where it will end at Yongsan Station. The tunnel beneath the Han River was completed in August 2009.^[10]

Several more phases have been under consideration. If approved, the section in Bundang would expand another 11.1 km to the south ending in Homaesil.^[7] An additional consideration would be to push north beyond Yongsan Station and end around Gwanghwamun Station and Gyeongbokgung Station, making it easier for commuters to access Gangnam from the central business district of Seoul. It was unclear if this idea has been scrapped or pushed back for a later reevaluation^[11] but resurfaced as a March 2012 campaign promise by Hong Sa-duk to expand the line near Gyeongbokgung Station]^[12][13]

There is talk about making the future Gwanggyo Station a transfer to EverLine.^[14]

Operation

The initial route consists of six stations that are accessible from 5:30 AM until 12:30 Midnight. The trains will are automated and run every 2.5 minutes during peak times to 8 minutes during off-peak hours. The entire stock consists of 12 trains, 6 of which will be running at any given time completing 312 rounds every day. The trains can travel upwards of 90~120 km/h but will run at least 60 km/h. Platforms can accommodate 10-car trains at 200 meters but initially 6-car trains will be used.^[9][15][16]

Stations

Phase 1

Phase 2 (2016)

- Jeongja to Kyonggi University
Under construction from 2010

Phase 3 (2018)

- Yongsan to Gangnam
Under construction from June 2006.^[10]

Phase 4 (2019)

- Gwanggyo to Homaesil

Phase 5 (2020)

- Homaesil to Hyangnam

See also

• Subways in South Korea
• Seoul Metropolitan Subway

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shinbundang line.

• Shinbundang's Official Website
• UrbanRail.net's Seoul Subway page
• Future Rail Database (Korean language)

v t e Rapid transit in South Korea Seoul Capital Area Urban Rail Seoul ● Line 1 ● Line 2 ● Line 3 ● Line 4 ● Line 5 ● Line 6 ● Line 7 ● Line 8 ● Line 9 Incheon ● Line 1 ○ Line 2 (u/c) Metropolitan Rail ● Line 1 [Korail] ● Line 3 [Korail] ● Line 4 [Korail] ● Jungang Line [K1] ● Bundang Line [K2] ● Gyeongui Line [K3] ● Gyeongchun Line [P1] ● Suin Line [K2] ● AREX ● Sinbundang Line [DX Line] ○ Yeoju Line (u/c) ○ Sosa–Wonsi Line (u/c) Light Metro Rail ● U Line ● Everline ● Incheon Airport Maglev (u/c) ○ Ui Line (u/c) ○ Gimpo Subway Line (u/c) Busan Urban Rail ● Line 1 ● Line 2 ● Line 3 ● Line 4 Light Metro Rail ● Busan–Gimhae LRT Daegu ● Line 1 ● Line 2 ● Line 3 (u/c) Daejeon ● Line 1 Gwangju ● Line 1