This is Reporter Lee Ji-eun from the Society Team reporting from Gimpo Airport Station. The ‘Gimpo Gold Line,’ an urban railway that runs between Seoul and Gimpo, departs from here. However, because it is a two-car light rail, commuting time is said to be a difficult experience that makes it hard to breathe, earning the nickname ‘hell train.’ Two passengers even collapsed from shortness of breath two days ago. Many passengers are expressing their anxieties about the situation.
This morning, I visited Gurae Station on the Gimpo Gold Line, where residents of the new Han River city heading towards Seoul use the train. It’s only 7 o’clock, but there is already a long line at the platform. Passengers inside the train are already struggling to control themselves, but more people keep pushing in from the outside. The train is only made up of two cars, yet during rush hour, it carries more than twice its capacity with 350 people. This makes it very difficult for smaller passengers to breathe in the crowds.
The situation is not much better in the evenings. As soon as it reaches 6 o’clock, the time to leave, a line forms up to the stairs of the platform. A safety officer who has no choice but to push passengers who want to get on and control the crowd. Many passengers are nervous that their bags may get stuck in the door. Two days ago, two female passengers even collapsed from the difficulty of breathing.
On average, 78,000 people use the Gimpo Gold Line daily. There are currently no immediate solutions to this problem. Seoul Transportation Corporation plans to add six more flights a day starting in September, but until then, passengers will have to endure the difficult commute. This is Lee Ji-eun reporting.
◀ Reporter ▶
Going right away, this is Reporter Lee Ji-eun from the Society Team.
This is Gimpo Airport Station, where the ‘Gimpo Gold Line’, an urban railway that runs between Seoul and Gimpo, departs.
Because it is a two-car light rail, commuting time is said to be a ‘hell train’ that makes it difficult to breathe.
Two days ago, two passengers also collapsed from shortness of breath.
There are many passengers who are anxious saying, ‘It’s not like other people’s business’.
How serious the commute is, let’s go right away.
◀ Report ▶
This morning, at Gurae Station on the Gimpo Gold Line.
This is where the residents of the new city of the Han River, heading towards Seoul, start riding.
It’s only 7 o’clock, and there’s a long line at the platform.
When I got on the train and arrived at Pungtang,
<승객 여러분께서는 좀 더 안쪽으로 들어가 주시기 바랍니다.>
″Uh~″
Passengers inside the train are already on the verge of not being able to control themselves, but they keep pushing in from the outside.
[이준수/김포골드라인 승객]
″People are coming in droves. You tend to push in a bit. It feels a little risky.”
Let alone the handle, if there is a place to lean on, I stretch out my hand and barely hold the balance.
It was only after leaving the train that I breathed out the breath I had been holding back.
[이인호/김포골드라인 승객]
″It was very difficult to stand still in the car. So, when you arrive, you should rest for a while. A scream comes from inside.″
A train consisting of two cars.
The capacity is 170 people, but it is said that 350 people, more than twice as many, ride during rush hour.
Same in the evening.
As soon as it was 6 o’clock, the time to leave, a line was formed up to the stairs of the platform.
[김성규/김포골드라인 안전요원]
“This scene here is full. Then you take control over there. Double, triple (control)…”
A safety officer who has no choice but to push a passenger who wants to get on.
I’m nervous all the time that my bag might get stuck in the door.
<다음 열차 타주세요.>
″Ah, what should I do?″
Smaller passengers find it difficult to breathe in the crowds.
[김포골드라인 이용 승객]
″Sometimes more than this.″
<어떠세요, 타실 때마다?>
″It’s crazy. Why pay the same money…”
Two days ago, two female passengers collapsed with difficulty breathing.
[강수원/김포공항역 역장]
″Working here, I have seen passengers now collapse. I’ve seen it, but if you use only Gimpo Airport Station as a standard, it’s one or two a week.”
An average of 78,000 people use the Gimpo Gold Line every day.
There are no immediate solutions.
[김포골드라인운영 관계자]
″(Short-term measures) physically do not exist. Because there are physically no trains that can add more.”
Seoul Transportation Corporation plans to add 6 more flights a day starting next September.
Until then, will passengers have to endure the beginning and end of their daily routine in ‘hell season’?
Going right away, this is Lee Ji-eun.
Video coverage: Lee Ji-ho, Heo Won-cheol / Video editing: Ahn Jun-hyeok
In conclusion, the Gimpo Gold Line has become a nightmare for commuters due to its overcrowded conditions. Passengers are forced to endure long lines, push and shove their way onto trains, and stand packed like sardines in a can for their entire commute. This has led to incidents of passengers collapsing from shortness of breath. Unfortunately, there are no immediate solutions, and it seems that commuters will have to continue enduring this ‘hell train’ until September when the Seoul Transportation Corporation plans to add more flights. Until then, it is essential to take precautions while traveling on this line, and we hope that the authorities can find a permanent solution to this issue soon. This is Reporter Lee Ji-eun signing off for now.