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before and after tweeting this, I fell into a truly massive rabbit hole on Seoul Metro’s Line 9. It is the newest line in the Seoul Metro system and its only privatized subway line. Koreans commonly call Line 9 the “Hell Line.”
I attempted a @AskAKorean like thread on Line 9. https://twitter.com/seungylee14/status/1281706335688519681
I attempted a @AskAKorean like thread on Line 9. https://twitter.com/seungylee14/status/1281706335688519681
Line 9 opened in 2009. It is the only subway line which runs entirely on the south side of the Han River, connecting Gimpo Airport and transit-poor Gangseo to Gangnam (of Kpop fame)
It was a huge success since opening. Crowding in trains became immediate and only worsened.
It was a huge success since opening. Crowding in trains became immediate and only worsened.
By 2015, Line 9 was already by far the most crowded Seoul Metro line. On average, during peak hours, 368 riders would be crammed into one train car — or 238% above accepted crowding capacity in a train car, per KBS. There would be no free space.
http://mn.kbs.co.kr/mobile/news/view.do?ncd=3050976
http://mn.kbs.co.kr/mobile/news/view.do?ncd=3050976
Seoul Metro during peak hours is congested in all lines — but Line 9 (at 238% above accepted capacity) pushes that to actually dangerous levels.
In comparison, Line 2 is the second busiest line at 202% above capacity at max peak. Line 1-8 average is at 158%, per KBS.
In comparison, Line 2 is the second busiest line at 202% above capacity at max peak. Line 1-8 average is at 158%, per KBS.
Peak crowding for Line 9 happens in the new economic heart of Seoul, on the south side running parallel Han River. 100s of thousands ride between National Assembly through/near several universities (Seoul Nat Univ, #1 univ), company HQs (Samsung i.e.), Bus Terminal and Gangnam.
Despite the explosive ridership growth, Line 9 ran 4-car trains until 2019. In 2018, express trains were increased from 4 to 6 cars. In 2019, all trains were increased from 4 to 6 cars.
Line 9 platform works for 8-car trains, but Line 9 is focusing on frequency > longer trains
Line 9 platform works for 8-car trains, but Line 9 is focusing on frequency > longer trains
How did the newest Seoul Metro line become its most infamous?
1) Underestimation of demand
2) Consequences of privatization
For #2, regardless if you’re pro- or anti-privatization, privatization of Line 9 opened up so many cans of worms harmful for both employees and riders.
1) Underestimation of demand
2) Consequences of privatization
For #2, regardless if you’re pro- or anti-privatization, privatization of Line 9 opened up so many cans of worms harmful for both employees and riders.
Governance of Line 9 is ridiculous.
Line 9’s Phase 1 operation (AKA busiest stations) is a joint venture by Hyundai Rotem (20% of ownership) and RATP Dev Transdev Asia (80%). Ops is owned by a private corporation.
Phase 2 (and future phases) however is owned by Seoul Metro!
Line 9’s Phase 1 operation (AKA busiest stations) is a joint venture by Hyundai Rotem (20% of ownership) and RATP Dev Transdev Asia (80%). Ops is owned by a private corporation.
Phase 2 (and future phases) however is owned by Seoul Metro!
Lines 1-8 are all owned by Seoul Metro, which is owned by Seoul Metropolitan Govt.
So the central Phase 1 of Line 9, which also happens to be the most crowded segment in the entire system, is the only segment of the Seoul Metro where Seoul Metro does not have direct control over
So the central Phase 1 of Line 9, which also happens to be the most crowded segment in the entire system, is the only segment of the Seoul Metro where Seoul Metro does not have direct control over
How did it come to this? In the early 2000s, Korea was struggling mightily after the IMF financial crisis.
Then conservative Seoul mayor (and future president) Lee Myung-Bak encouraged foreign investors to compete in constructing Line 9 and signed a 30-year contract.
Then conservative Seoul mayor (and future president) Lee Myung-Bak encouraged foreign investors to compete in constructing Line 9 and signed a 30-year contract.
In the contract, which Seoul Metro signed away Line 9 Phase 1 until 2038 to investors, the Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation can set fare prices (after consulting Seoul Mayor). Seoul Metro however also paid 90% of any Line 9 operating losses. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120416000638
Seoul Metro is also on the hook to procure additional vehicles for Line 9, according to MBC.
Investors who held share in SML9 Corporation, like Macquarie, have no ops experience. So operations went over to French-based RATP and Hyundai, not Seoul Metro. https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2017/nwdesk/article/4485347_30212.html
Investors who held share in SML9 Corporation, like Macquarie, have no ops experience. So operations went over to French-based RATP and Hyundai, not Seoul Metro. https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2017/nwdesk/article/4485347_30212.html
During contract negotiations in 2005, the Korea Transport Institute published a Line 9 feasibility study estimating travel demand would be 240K/day by 2014.
Odd & inexplicable, bc a similar study from Seoul Metro Govt in 2000, estimated 373K/day by 2009. https://thedissolve.kr/the-subway-line-from-hell/
Odd & inexplicable, bc a similar study from Seoul Metro Govt in 2000, estimated 373K/day by 2009. https://thedissolve.kr/the-subway-line-from-hell/
Whatever the reason, this miscalculation gave Macquarie and other investors the green light to lowball rolling stock procurement and employees needed.
Low # of trains and employees -> Low costs -> Max profits -> “Hell Line”
Low # of trains and employees -> Low costs -> Max profits -> “Hell Line”
The fact that Seoul Metro needs to procure add’l vehicles for Line 9 is a huge reason why crowding became so bad and dangerous.
Seoul Metro Govt sought funds from the federal Ministry of Strategy and Finance for more trains but turns out the Ministry wasn’t keen on helping out.
Seoul Metro Govt sought funds from the federal Ministry of Strategy and Finance for more trains but turns out the Ministry wasn’t keen on helping out.
According to another KBS report, Ministry wasn’t keen on financing trains which would run through Phase 1 of Line 9 — a private segment. Ministry told Seoul Metro Govt to fund 198 add’l trains themselves. They squabbled for 3 years as ridership rose.
The divided governance of Line 9 was dangerous for riders, and ruinous for train operators.
Overworked, operators experienced severe health issues. Between 2012-2017, 12 Line 9 operators were diagnosed with cancer; 4 were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in their 30s, per Hankyoreh
Overworked, operators experienced severe health issues. Between 2012-2017, 12 Line 9 operators were diagnosed with cancer; 4 were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in their 30s, per Hankyoreh
Female train operators in Line 9 are smaller in # but experienced as bad health consequences as their male counterparts.
A few fainted during/after shifts due to severe dehydration. 2 out of 3 married women operators had miscarriages, per Hankyoreh. http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/area/area_general/821862.html
A few fainted during/after shifts due to severe dehydration. 2 out of 3 married women operators had miscarriages, per Hankyoreh. http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/area/area_general/821862.html
It is no surprise, then, that Line 9’s labor union has repeated gone on partial strikes, in 2017, 2018, 2019 and this week — until Seoul Mayor Park Won-Soon was found dead
“A terrible thing happened to Seoul...and us striking on top of it felt unethical” http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/953102.html
“A terrible thing happened to Seoul...and us striking on top of it felt unethical” http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/953102.html
Line 9 labor union has demanded more employees, a new salary system and better working conditions. In 18 and 19, they’ve called for Seoul Metro to take over Phase 1 and criticized Park not acting so.
Seoul Metro Govt and Line 9 ops would send sub workers to keep regular service
Seoul Metro Govt and Line 9 ops would send sub workers to keep regular service
In 2012, Line 9 proposed a 47% fare hike to make up operating deficits of $159 million. For Lines 1-8, operation deficits were covered by Seoul Metro Govt.
Park stared down SML9 Corp and threatened to penalize Line 9 for every day of fare hike. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120416001043
Park stared down SML9 Corp and threatened to penalize Line 9 for every day of fare hike. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120416001043
After 3 weeks of standoff, Line 9 backed down and had to apologize.
“We tried to raise the fare to relieve growing deficits... But we’ve caused trouble to citizens while having an argument with the city. We apologize for causing public concern.” http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/05/117_110659.html
“We tried to raise the fare to relieve growing deficits... But we’ve caused trouble to citizens while having an argument with the city. We apologize for causing public concern.” http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/05/117_110659.html
A year later in 2013, Macquarie pulled out of Line 9 Corp altogether and sold its shares to Korean banks and other subsidiaries.
Seoul Metro now controls fare decisions for Line 9. The Line 9 fare increase stoppage was arguably Park’s biggest win as Seoul Mayor in transport.
Seoul Metro now controls fare decisions for Line 9. The Line 9 fare increase stoppage was arguably Park’s biggest win as Seoul Mayor in transport.
I’ve never rode Line 9. And by recent pre-COVID news, Line 9’s crowding seems only slightly alleviated.
Even in the best transport networks in the world, things can and do go horribly wrong bc politics and $. Lots of great lessons for myself and other transit folks, imho.
Even in the best transport networks in the world, things can and do go horribly wrong bc politics and $. Lots of great lessons for myself and other transit folks, imho.
I put on my best former journalist hat to source as many tweets as I can. I thought this English article from @thedissolvekr really captured well the woes of the “Hell Line.” https://thedissolve.kr/the-subway-line-from-hell/
Hope you enjoyed coming down my rabbit hole!
Hope you enjoyed coming down my rabbit hole!
