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Honam high-speed railway

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For the parallel conventional railway, see Honam Line.
Honam HSR
Route map
Overview
Native name호남고속철도
StatusOperational
OwnerKorea Rail Network Authority
Line number102 (KR)
LocaleSouth Korea
Termini
Service
TypeHigh-speed rail
Operator(s)Korea Train Express
History
OpenedApril 1, 2015
Technical
Line length230.99 km (143.53 mi)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV/60 Hz Catenary
Operating speed305 km/h (190 mph)
Honam high-speed railway
Hangul
호남고속선
Hanja
湖南高速線
Revised RomanizationHonam Gosokseon
McCune–ReischauerHonam Kosoksŏn

The Honam high-speed railway, also known as Honam HSR, is a high-speed rail between Osong (on the existing Gyeongbu high-speed railway) and Mokpo in South Korea. The line is a part of Korail's Korea Train Express (KTX) system, accelerating Seoul–Mokpo and Seoul–Gwangju KTX high-speed services which currently use the existing conventional Honam Line. On April 1, 2015, the line was inaugurated by the South Korean President Park Geun-hye with the attendance of 1200 invited guests and members of the public at Gwangju Songjeong Station in Gwangju, the line's terminus. The line diverges from Osong station on the Gyeongbu high-speed railway, and stops at Gongju, Iksan, Jeongeup Stations. Journey times between Seoul and Gwangju has been cut from 2 h 40 min to just 90 min, making daily commuting possible. The Honam HSR is intended to bring business, and economic opportunities to the province of Jeollanam-do, which has seen slower development than other parts of South Korea. The line has been open to the public since April 2, 2015 for revenue service.

History

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Origins of the project

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The most progressed plans for a second high-speed line were for the Honam high-speed railway, a connection from Seoul to Mokpo in southwest Korea, accelerating the service on the existing route that was eventually established in KTX's first phase.

The first feasibility study in 2003 came to the conclusion that the construction of a full line is not justified by demand, and proposed a two-stage construction.[1] The first stage, to be realised by 2015, would involve a connection from a second Seoul terminus in the southeast part of the city to the Gyeongbu HSR, and a branch from the Gyeongbu HSR to Iksan, paralleling the existing Honam Line.[1] The second phase, to be realised by 2020, would include the separate tracks on the section paralleling the Gyeongbu Line, and the extension from Iksan to Gwangju and Mokpo, paralleling the existing Honam Line. The cost of the entire project was estimated at 10,378.6 trillion won.[1]

On January 14, 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan met local representatives in Gwangju, who requested an early implementation of the project. Lee pointed to the failure of the first phase of the KTX in meeting ridership forecasts during its first months, expressed skepticism regarding the profitability of the Honam HSR, and described it as a long-term project.[2] However, in December the same year, in the light of low approval in the affected provinces, the government reversed its stance and agreed to complete the project to Gwangju by 2015.[3]

In plans made official in August 2006[4] in spite of a benefit–cost ratio below 1,[5] the budget for the 182.75 km (113.56 mi) first stage (from the new Osong station on the Gyeongbu HSR to Gwangju) was set at 8,569.5 billion won.[1] The second stage, the 48.74 km (30.29 mi) remaining to Mokpo, was to be finished by 2017 with a budget of 2,002.2 billion won. The altogether 230.99 km (143.53 mi), 10,571.7 billion won project would enable Seoul–Mokpo travel times of 1 hour 46 minutes.[5] Ahead of the 2007 Presidential elections, eventual winner Lee Myung-bak promised to accelerate the project by 3 years (with the first section finished by 2012). While this date was deemed unrealistic by the responsible ministry, a one-year acceleration (first phase in 2014) was announced in January 2009.[6] The Osong-Iksan section of the first phase is also intended for use as high-speed test track for rolling stock development, to be fitted with special catenary and instrumented track.[7]

The project is financed to 50% by direct government funds and 50% loans.[8]

Construction

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By December 2009, construction began on three sub-sections of the 182 km (113 mi) line from Osong to Gwangju, which shall enable Seoul–Gwangju travel times of 1 hour 30 minutes.[9] The ground-breaking ceremony was held at Gwangju·Songjeong Station in the attendance of President Lee Myung-bak on December 4, 2009, when total project costs were estimated at 11.3 trillion won (US$9.8 billion).[10] As of September 2010, progress was 9.6% of the project budget then estimated at 10,490.1 billion won for the first phase, while the estimate for the entire line stood at 12,101.7 billion won.[8]

The entire line from Osong to Mokpo includes a total of 111.7 km (69.4 mi) of viaducts (48.35%) and 49.12 km (30.52 mi) of tunnels (21.26%).[8]

Stations

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Trains will stop at seven stations along the line:[5]

Station Line distance Distance
from Seoul		 Travel time
(all-stops)		 Travel time
(limited stops)
Osong station 0.00 km 121.4 km 0h49m -
Gongju station 43.8 km 165.2 km 1h06m -
Iksan station 89.8 km 211.2 km 1h23m 1h01m
Jeongeup station 131.9 km 253.3 km 1h40m -
GwangjuSongjeong Station 182.4 km 303.8 km 1h58m 1h30m
Naju station 198.2 km 319.6 km 2h08m -
Mokpo station 249.2 km 370.6 km 2h35m -

Services

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Honam KTX

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Honam KTX
Overview
Service typeHigh-speed rail
StatusOperating
LocaleSouth Korea
First serviceApril 1, 2004
Current operator(s)Korail
Former operator(s)Korean National Railroad
Daily ridership17,599 (2008)
Route
TerminiYongsan station or Haengsin station
Mokpo station or Gwangju station
Stops14/12 (normal Yongsan–Mokpo, –Gwangju)
15/13 (including Haengsin)
Distance travelled404.4 km (251.3 mi)
(Yongsan–Mokpo)
349.6 km (217.2 mi)
(Yongsan–Gwangju)
Average journey time2h 58m (Yongsan–Mokpo)
2h 38m (Yongsan–Gwangju)
Service frequency38 (Monday-Thursday)
40 (Friday-Sunday)
(Dec 15, 2010 timetable)
On-board services
Class(es)First class, Standard class
No reserved seat (weekday only)
Disabled accessFirst class only
Seating arrangementsAirline style with table
Catering facilitiesOn-board vending machine
Snack tray
Entertainment facilitiesOn-board television
Multi channel audio broadcast (first class only)
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
baggage storage
Technical
Rolling stockKTX-I, KTX-II (KTX-Sancheon)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification25 kV/60 Hz catenary
Operating speed305 km/h (190 mph)

When Honam KTX services started on April 1, 2004, the shortest rail travel time between the capital and Mokpo was reduced from 4 hours 32 minutes to 2 hours 58 minutes. between Seoul and Gwangju, the time reduced from 3 hours 53 minutes to 2 hours 38 minutes.[5]

At the Seoul end, since the December 15, 2004, timetable change, most Honam KTX services don't terminate in Seoul Station, the terminus of the Gyeongbu KTX services, but in nearby Yongsan Station,[11] from where the travel distance to Mokpo Station is 404.4 km (251.3 mi). In addition, some services are extended beyond Yongsan, passing Seoul Station and continuing for 14.9 km (9.3 mi) along the Gyeongui Line to terminate at Haengsin station, next to which KTX trains have a depot.[12]

The service uses the Gyeongbu HSR until Daejeon, and the upgraded Honam Line from there. The service calls at the following stations:[13][14]

Station Travel distance[14]
Haengsin station 0.0 km -
Yongsan station 18.1 km 0.0 km
Gwangmyeong station 36.9 km 18.8 km
Cheonan-Asan station 110.9 km 92.8 km
Osong station 139.5 km 121.4 km
Seodaejeon station 175.7 km 157.6 km
Gyeryong station 195.4 km 177.3 km
Nonsan station 220.8 km 202.7 km
Iksan station 257.9 km 239.8 km
Gimje station 275.6 km 257.5 km
Jeongeup station 301.4 km 283.3 km
Jangseong station 333.8 km 315.7 km
Gwangju station
(spur line) 		367.7 km 349.6 km
GwangjuSongjeong Station 355.7 km 337.6 km
Naju station 371.5 km 353.4 km
Mokpo station 422.5 km 404.4 km

The frequency of Honam HSR services was increased in steps from the initial 34 daily runs in 2004,[5] and changes between a minimum 38 services a day on weekdays and a maximum 40 on weekends from the November 1, 2010 timetable.[13]

Ridership

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Ridership/day[15]
2004 11,667
2005 15,113
2006 17,257
2007 17,270
2008 17,599

The predicted first-year average daily ridership of the Honam KTX Line was raised from 22,818 in a November 1999 estimate to 36,085 in the final August 2003 forecast.[16] Actual first-year numbers were about a half of the original estimate, but rose significantly in the second and third year.[15]

In its first year of operation, the Honam KTX service also underperformed in seat occupation relative to the Gyeongbu KTX service.[16] By 2005, KTX fares were selectively reduced for relations under-performing most, especially on the Honam Line:[5]

Standard class one-way ticket price for adults (won)
Fare system Seoul to... Yongsan to...
Iksan Gwangju Mokpo Iksan Gwangju Mokpo
Plans in early 2004[17] 28,600 38,200 42,900 (28,300) (37,900) (42,600)
Valid from April 1, 2004[18][19] 27,000 36,600 41,400 26,700 36,300 41,100
Valid from April 25, 2005[19] - - - 25,500 33,300 38,000

Following general ticket price increases and the separation of weekday and weekend fares, as of November 2010, the standard one-way Seoul to Mokpo ticket price stands at 40,500 won on weekdays and 43,300 won on weekends, but with significant reductions on newly introduced non-reserved seats.[14] Another problem passenger surveys in the first months found was station access and the limited capacity of bus connections, leading to the frequent use of taxis.[20]

[edit]

After its first year of operation, on relations with significant distances along the conventional Honam Line, the Honam KTX service gained market share mostly at the expense of conventional trains, while the total share of rail was stagnant on some relations.[5] By 2008, between Yongsan and the cities mid-way along the Honam Line, rail's total modal share passed 50%.[21] Strong gains at the expense of air transport and private cars were seen between Yongsan and Honam KTX service endpoints Mokpo and Gwangju, too.[21]

Evolution of modal shares on selected relations with Honam KTX service

Future improvements

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Starting from April 2011, the new Jeolla KTX service will share tracks with the Honam KTX until Iksan, and diverge from there to reach Yeosu along the Jeolla Line.[22] Korail also plans to run some through KTX services to Incheon International Airport on the AREX line from 2012.[23] The planned travel time between Incheon International Airport and Gwangju is 3 hours.[24]

From 2014, the Honam KTX Line is to transfer to the future Honam High Speed Railway between Osong on the Gyeongbu HSR and Gwangju·Songjeong. By 2017, the service will transfer to the new line on the remaining section to Mokpo, too.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Chung, Il-Ho (July 2006). "Plan for Honam High-Speed Railway" (PDF). Space and Environment. 25. Korean Research Institute for Human Settlements: 6–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  2. ^ 호남고속전철 조기착공 어려워지나 (in Korean). Moodeung Ilbo. 2005-01-15. Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  3. ^ "Seoul–Honam Bullet Train Set for Completion by 2015". Invest KOREA. 2005-12-08. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  4. ^ "High-Speed Train to Extend Southwest Route". The Chosun Ilbo. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Cho, Nam-Geon; Chung, Jin-Kyu (2008). "High Speed Rail Construction of Korea and Its Impact" (PDF). KRIHS Special Report Series. 12. Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  6. ^ "High-speed railway pushed forward". JoongAng Daily. 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  7. ^ "Research underpins Korail's drive to be a global player". Railway Gazette International. 2007-05-01. Archived from the original on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  8. ^ a b c "호남고속철도". Korea Rail Network Authority. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  9. ^ "Skepticism Lingers Over Honam KTX Line". The Korea Times. 2009-12-06. Archived from the original on 2010-02-13. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  10. ^ "Railway to the future". JoongAng Daily. 2009-12-05. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  11. ^ "Train Routes to Be Split Between Seoul, Yongsan Stations". The Chosun Ilbo. 2004-11-12. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  12. ^ Lee, Kyung Chul (August 2007). "Launch of Korean High-Speed Railway and Efforts to Innovate Future Korean Railway" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review (48): 30–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
  13. ^ a b "KTX Time Table 2010.11.01" (in Korean). Korail. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  14. ^ a b c "KTX 2010.11.01" (in Korean). Korail. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  15. ^ a b MUN, Jinsu (2010-05-25). "High Speed Rail in Korea" (PDF). Korea Transport Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  16. ^ a b D. Suh, Sunduck; Yang, Keun-Yul; Lee, Jae-Hoon; Ahn, Byung-Min; Kim, Jeong Hyun (2005). "EFFECTS OF THE KOREAN TRAIN EXPRESS (KTX) OPERATION ON THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM" (PDF). Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies. 5: 175–189. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  17. ^ 고속철도의 종착역은 어디일까? (in Korean). OhmyNews. 2004-02-15. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  18. ^ 한국고속철도 개통효과와 균등분배정책. Korean Rail Technology (in Korean) (46). March–April 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
  19. ^ a b "KTX 운임 및 예매기간 조정 알림" (in Korean). Korail. 2005-04-30. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  20. ^ "One year later, KTX faces rider shortfalls, complaints". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2005-03-25. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  21. ^ a b "KTX 개통 5주년 보도자료" (in Korean). Rail Safety Information System. 2009-04-01. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  22. ^ 숙박ㆍ교통ㆍ민자 사업 어디까지 왔나 어디를 가도 '여수는 지금 공사중' 2조원 투입해 2년간 단계별 건립 도심연결 도로망ㆍ교통혼잡은 숙제 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 2010-05-12. Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  23. ^ "Bullet trains coming to a town near you by 2020". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  24. ^ "공항철도, KTX, 지하철 9호선과 직결 활성화 시킨다" (in Korean). Electimes. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
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