Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Has anyone else ridden it? It is a big timesaver through central Seoul.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_Subway_Line_9

I've ridden it a few times and I wanted to point out a few things.
1) The stations are beautiful and well-manned, if you have any questions, but the entrances at transfer stations are spaced further away than other transfer stations for other subway lines.

2)There are "rapid" subways on this line that don't stop at every station. Make sure you don't get on one unless the rapid stops at your stop. I've noticed that many people have made this mistake- that look of panic! The subway maps are on the platforms and the RED routes are the maps of the rapid trains.

3) If you take the #9 line to Noryangin Station, the #2 exit (the exit specified for a transfer to the #1 line) actually takes you to the street outside Noryangin Station. After you are on the street, just walk straight and you'll see the Station entrance on your left. The first time you do this it can be confusing and I don't know of any other subway line transfers that actually take you outside the subway station.

[victorology]

[iammac2002]

I love it! It's so pretty, and it took me less than an hour to get home from Gimpo! Now if only they had more of these lines...!

[pkang0202]

I love the new line 9. Takes me from Gangnam to the Mokdong area in like 30 minutes.

A few things I noticed:

The number of people who wait for the rapid line just to go to the next rapid stop. That would've been just 3 regular subway stops. JUST TAKE THE REGULAR SUBWAY!!!!

The subway gets REAL crowded during rush hour. I hope they plan to add more cars to the subway.

I don't like the screens telling you what the next stop is being above the subway doors flush against the wall. It makes it hard to see.

I wish the Line 9 connected to the Bundang line.

[iammac2002]

Yeah, and being much shorter trains, it gets more crowded more quickly.

[pie eater]

[bucheon bum]

[wylies99]

This line was originally planned to relieve some of the pressure off the #2 line, (busiest in the Seoul system), but because it took so long to get the #9 line up and running many feel that there will be no effect on the heavy traffic of the #2 line.

If anything, there may increased ridership in all of the Seoul subway system because, now, even more people have access to the subway system through the #9 line.

[wylies99]

Oh, and yeah, it'll be even better once it's completed.

[pkang0202]

i remember reading that there was a planned subway from Gangnam to City Hall.

That one would be crucial. The proposal said the express subway would take you from Gangnam Station to City Hall in 15 minutes.

[tzechuk]

Can someone tell me how frequent the trains are?

[pkang0202]

I think the rapid are every 30 minutes. regular trains are like 8 minutes apart I think.

[tzechuk]

Thanks, Mr Kang.

Can you now tell me if the best way to get to Shinnonhyun from Seoul station is take line 4 to Dongjak, then change and get line 9?

The map says 28 minutes, but I am assuming it'll take me at least 40...

[lifeinkorea]

Why do they think they can relieve the congestion by making a new line? Wouldn't it make more sense to have rapid trains added to the existing lines like in Japan? They have like 5 different kinds of trains all color coded (yellow, black, red, pink, blue).

[wylies99]