- Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon agree on transportation solutions for the metropolitan area -

- Incheon also to prioritize participating in the climate “companion card project” for the metropolitan bus network -

On November 17, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok reached an agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan City Government on the “Airport Railroad-Seoul Metro Line No. 9 Project,” which had been in a stalemate for the past 24 years. The decision is expected to improve the transportation system for local residents traveling between Incheon and Seoul. 

In addition to the Airport Railroad-Seoul Metro Line No. 9 Project, the Mayor also agreed with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to join the Climate Companion Card project scheduled for January next year. 

<MOU signing ceremony between Incheon and Seoul on resolving traffic issues>

<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon are signing an MOU at the “MOU signing ceremony between Incheon and Seoul on resolving traffic issues” inside Seoul City Hall on November 17.>

Despite getting a green light from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 1999, the Airport Railroad-Seoul Metro Line No. 9 Project had been mired in a stalemate over the operating and facility costs between Incheon and Seoul. On November 17, however, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Metropolitan Transport Commission), Incheon, and Seoul managed to reach an eagerly anticipated agreement.

As per the new arrangement, Seoul will cover the entire operating cost expected from connecting the Airport Railroad to Seoul Metro Line No. 9. Here, considering the transportation benefits for its citizens, Incheon agreed to share half of the facility expenses with Seoul.

Thus, passengers in both Incheon and Seoul will soon benefit from a much more seamless transportation system, including an 8% reduction in congestion on Line No. 9 express trains and the ability to connect to the Seoul Metro system without having to transfer. This will give passengers a better experience traveling between the Incheon International Airport and Gangnam in Seoul going forward. In particular, residents in the northwestern corners of Incheon - Yeongjong, Cheongna, and Gyeyang - can expect much easier access to the metropolitan area. 

In addition, Incheon recognizes that all three municipal governments in the metropolitan area - Incheon, Seoul, and Gyeonggi-do - need a joint response to most of the overarching transportation issues. Accordingly, the City plans to develop and promote a comprehensive and diverse range of alternatives next year, including a plan to adopt the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s “K-Pass” and the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s “Climate Companion Card” as part of its own City-wide policies. 

Incheon will first participate in the Climate Companion Card project for metropolitan buses starting next year. The specific timing and method of joining the project will be announced upon consultation with transportation agencies in the metropolitan area. The City also plans to review its participation of regular subway and bus services in the Climate Companion Card project with additional research done by specialized organizations and working-level consultations with other municipal agencies in the metropolitan area.

Meanwhile, Incheon expects more than 14,000 locals to cut their transportation costs down by at least KRW 30,000 per month using the Climate Companion Card for metropolitan buses, which is being reviewed with Seoul City.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “After some long discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and local politicians to offer a more convenient transportation system for our residents, we have decided to go ahead with the long-awaited Airport Railroad-Seoul Metro Line No. 9 Project and the Climate Companion Card project.” The Mayor highlighted, “We plan on promoting a comprehensive range of policies and cooperating with related organizations to improve our transportation network for all residents across the metropolitan area and find quicker solutions to resolve transportation issues within the area.”