Gangwon-do Signs Business Agreement for Operation of Next-Generation ITX Trains
Gangwon-do recently held a business agreement ceremony for the operation of next-generation ITX trains, which are set to begin running on the Taebaek Line from next month. The ceremony took place at Taebaek City Hall and was attended by local officials, including Governor Kim Jin-tae, President of Korea Railroad Corporation Han Moon-hee, and mayors from Donghae, Taebaek, Samcheok, Yeongwol-gun, and Jeongseon-gun.
Under the agreement, the Cheongnyangni Station-Donghae Station section will run twice a day, with the operating loss costs being shared between the province and the five cities and counties in the southern Gangwon region. Governor Kim expressed hope for further reduction in travel time, stating that the current 20-minute reduction based on Taebaek is just the beginning. He emphasized the importance of exploring different methods to further shorten the journey in the future.
The opening ceremony at Taebaek Station was graced by the presence of Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Won Hee-ryong and other dignitaries. Minister Won expressed his aspirations for the ITX-heart train to eventually extend beyond the Taebaek Line and connect the Korean Peninsula and Eurasia. He also pledged active efforts to expedite the construction of the Dongseo Expressway, connecting Yeongwol to Samcheok, by securing the necessary budget from the Ministry of Finance.
Minister Won highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Taebaek, Jeongseon, Yeongwol, Samcheok, and Donghae regions, starting from the National Highway 38 expansion project. He acknowledged the demand for direct access to the Taebaek and Yeongwol railways and assured that the 5th railway network planning service, starting this month, would prioritize economic feasibility and reflect the aspirations of the residents.
The newly introduced ITX train boasts a maximum speed of 70 km/h, reducing travel time from Cheongnyangni to Taebaek by 18 minutes compared to the previous Mugunghwa train. With further stabilization, the reduction could go up to 36 minutes, enabling a potential travel time of 2 hours and 48 minutes.
This development signals tangible progress in improving connectivity and transportation infrastructure in Gangwon-do, supporting local economic growth and enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors.
Source: Chuncheon/Reporter Kim Young-tak
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Gangwon-do, 5 cities and counties in southern Gangwon, etc. MOU
Between Cheongnyangni Station and Donghae Station, it runs twice a day
Won Hee-ryong “Efforts such as the early start of the Dongseo Expressway”
A semi-high-speed train runs on the Taebaek Line.
Gangwon-do announced on the 27th that it recently held a business agreement ceremony for the operation of next-generation ITX trains, which will begin operation on the 1st of next month.
On this day, Governor Kim Jin-tae held a business agreement ceremony for the successful operation of the ITX train on the Taebaek Line at Taebaek City Hall, which was attended by the President of Korea Railroad Corporation Han Moon-hee, Donghae Mayor Shim Gyu-eon, Taebaek Mayor Lee Sang-ho, Park Mayor Samcheok Sang-soo, Yeongwol-gun Mayor Choi Myeong-seo, and Jeongseon-gun Mayor Choi Seung-joon came.
Business agreement ceremony for the operation of ITX trains. [강원도 제공]
According to this agreement, the Cheongnyangni Station-Donghae Station section will be operated twice a day, and the operating loss costs will be shared by the province and five cities and counties in the southern Gangwon region at a certain rate.
Governor Kim said, “Currently, it is reduced by 20 minutes based on Taebaek, but I hope that the time will be shortened further by looking for different methods as it is implemented in the future.”
Following this, the opening ceremony held at Taebaek Station was attended by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong and others.
Train inspection and test travel. [강원도 제공]
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong said, “We named it ITX-heart with the hope that it will continue from the Taebaek Line to the Korean Peninsula and Eurasia.”
“We will work actively to ensure that the Dongseo Expressway connecting Yeongwol-Samcheok can be started early,” he said, “The Ministry of Finance and Economy will try to speed it up, and if the Ministry of Finance gives the budget, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will build the highway quickly.”
He added, “Taebaek, Jeongseon, Yeongwol, Samcheok, and Donghae regions have been cooperating for a long time, starting with the National Highway 38 expansion project.”
EMU-150 opening ceremony. [강원도 제공]
Regarding the demand for direct access to the Taebaek and Yeongwol railways, Minister Won said, “As the 5th railway network planning service will start this month, we will increase the economic feasibility and reflect the aspirations of the residents well .”
Meanwhile, the train introduced at this time runs at a maximum speed of 70 km/h, and it took 204 minutes from Cheongnyangni to Taebaek on the Mugunghwa train, but the newly introduced train takes 186 minutes, a reduction of 18 minutes, and when stabilizing, up to 36 minutes is reduced, it is expected to be able to run up to 2 hours and 48 minutes.
[전국매일신문] Chuncheon/Reporter Kim Young-tak
youngtk@jeonmae.co.kr
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