Shinbundang Line (DX Line) | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Native name | 신분당선(新盆唐線) Sinbundangseon |
Status | Operational |
Termini | |
Stations | 16 |
Service | |
Type | Commuter Rail |
System | Seoul Metropolitan Subway |
Operator(s) | Shinbundang Railroad Corporation, Gyeonggi Railroad Co., Ltd., New Seoul Railroad Co., Ltd., Neo Trans |
History | |
Opened | 28 October 2011 |
Technical | |
Line length | 33.4 km (20.8 mi) |
Number of tracks | 2 |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Electrification | 25 kV, 60 Hz AC |
The Shinbundang Line Korean: 신분당선; Hanja: 新盆唐線; literally, New Bundang Line) or DX Line for Dynamic Express Line is a 33.4 km (20.8 mi) 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 Sinsa station and Gwanggyo station in 42 minutes, a feat achieved by being the first line to operate South Korea's next-generation subway car travelling at over 90 km/h (56 mph), with the fastest average speed of any subway line in the country.[2][3]
The initial route opened in October 2011 passed through 6 stations intersecting with three existing lines at Gangnam station (Line 2), Yangjae station (Line 3), and Jeongja station (Bundang Line). Phase 2 opened on 30 January 2016 added 6 stations to the south, extending the line to serve Yongin's Suji-gu and Suwon's Gwanggyo New City. Construction for Phase 3's extension northwards to Sinsa station started in 2016, with opening on 28 May 2022.[4] Construction of the line 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.[5][6]
Gwanggyo Jungang (Ajou Univ.) station opened its underground bus transfer station in early March 2016, where screen doors are installed on bus platforms so bus riders from all over Suwon can transfer to the subway directly.[7]
The price to ride the Shinbundang Line is higher than standard fare for the rest of the Seoul subway system. There are zone based surcharges in addition to regular fares which are identical to other lines.