- GTD-D and E projects chosen as part of the “three core innovation strategies in transportation” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport... Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok hails decision as a “Remarkable improvement to Incheon’s railway network” -
Both the Great Train Express (GTX) lines D and E are expected to depart from Incheon.
In the early hours of January 25, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced its final plans for the Y-shaped section of GTX-D connecting Geomdan, Gyeyang, Incheon International Airport, Cheongna, Gajeong, and Gangnam (Samsung Station), and GTX-E that connects Incheon International Airport, Cheongna, Daejang, and Namyangju.
<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is briefing on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's announcement on the new GTX lines inside the briefing room at City Hall on January 25>
Responding to the announcement, which included the Ministry’s “three core innovation strategies” behind the latest additions to the GTX network, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “I wholeheartedly welcome the decision on behalf of everyone in Incheon.”
GTX-D is a Y-shaped route where one branch of the route connecting Incheon International Airport-Cheongna-Gajeong meets the other connecting Gimpo-Geomdan-Gyeyang, then stretches all the way from Daejang to Samsung. Once it passes Samsung, the route splits again, with one heading out to Hanam-si, whereas the other stretches all the way to Yeoju-si. Meanwhile, GTX-E shares the same route with GTX-D along Incheon International Airport-Cheongna-Gajeong-Daejang, but then goes on to Namyangju only.
In particular, when GTX-D begins its service, it could allow commuters to travel from Geomdan/Cheongna to Samsung in roughly 30 minutes, and from Yeongjong to Samsung in about 40 minutes, which means the commute (one-way) will go from two hours to approximately 90 minutes.
This is a triumph for Mayor Yoo and his administration. Officials from Incheon worked diligently - consulting relevant organizations, working with various government departments, and talking to members of the National Assembly on numerous occasions - to ensure that the Y-shaped GTX-D as well as the GTX-E route made it to the final iteration of the plan. Moreover, Incheon hosted the “GTX-D Y-route Challenge” led by the Incheon Citizens' Union in 2022, where it invited more than 10,000 Incheon citizens, local lawmakers, and participants to support the City’s bid to secure the new GTX lines.
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “The expansion of the GTX network connecting the east-west axis of the metropolitan area is not only an urgent matter for our citizens across Incheon, but also essential for the Incheon International Airport to become one of the world’s top three airports and further strengthen its competitiveness.” He added, “Based on my administration’s philosophy of putting our constituents and our City first, we promise to do our best to expand the railway network in all directions, which is part of our promise to our citizens.”
Incheon plans to remain in close contact with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and do its best to ensure that the “5th National Railway Network Construction Plan,” scheduled for the second half of next year, sees the new GTX plans are included in the Plan, and that the preliminary feasibility study is passed within the current national administration’s term of office.
