Great Train eXpress


Great Train eXpress is a higher-speed commuter rail network in the Seoul Metropolitan Area project consisting of three separate lines, named GTX-A, GTX-B and GTX-C, and scheduled for completion in 2030. Three other lines, named GTX-D, GTX-E and GTX-F are being planned.

GTX-A

The GTX-A, officially Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Line A, is a higher-speed commuter railway line operating in two sections in Seoul, South Korea.
Groundbreaking for GTX Line A was held on December 27, 2018, with service initially expected to commence in 2023. However, the project has been officially delayed due to land compensation issues and the discovery of archaeological ruins dating from the Joseon period.
The line currently runs in two separate sections - Dongtan to Suseo and Unjeongjungang to Seoul Station. Suseo, Seongnam, and Dongtan stations were opened on March 30, 2024, with Guseong Station opening later on June 29, 2024. The section between Unjeongjungang and Seoul Station opened on December 28, 2024. The connection between Seoul Station and Suseo is anticipated to open in August 2026. Samseong Station has been further delayed and will not open until 2028.

Operation

Approximately of the line are expected to share the same rail as the SRT, and an additional towards the western end of the route are expected to be completely underground. Trains operate at around three to four services per hour in each direction in the southern section with anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes between services. Meanwhile, the northern section operates at six services per hour per direction with ten minutes between services.
Each GTX-A train has a capacity of 1,090 passengers.

GTX-B

Construction of GTX Line B commenced on March 7, 2024. It is planned to be completed by 2030.

GTX-C

Construction of GTX Line C commenced on January 25, 2024. It is planned to be completed by 2028. According to the latest plans and following the selection of a preferred bidder for the construction of this line, two additional stations, Indeogwon Station and Wangsimni Station are likely to be added to the line.

Additional plans for other lines

Plans for a Line D were announced in 2021 by the previous government. However, the proposed route faced a lot of opposition, and has not been approved yet. The new government of Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to build three new lines, for which the routes have not been decided yet, but which would likely include plans for a longer Line D than the one announced by the previous government. Plans for a Line G and H that will expand to the northern and southwestern regions of Gyeonggi Province have also been announced.

Criticism

Critics argue that GTX project would increase the social and economic centripetal force towards Seoul leading to increased primacy and the collapse of other provincial cities.