Shinbundang Line
The Shinbundang Line (literally translated to New Bundang Line) was originally supposed to be Line 11, part of the 3rd phase of Seoul's subway construction in 1991. However, all plans was this phase were abandoned due to the Asian Financial Crisis. A revisit later shortened the planned route, and construction commenced in mid-2005. It is the second completely driverless metro line in South Korea, behind Busan Metro Line 4. It is marked red on maps.
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Phase 1 of the line opened on October 28, 2011, with service from Gangnam to Jeongja. It was designed to cross several existing metro lines and relieve traffic in the Bundang area.
Phase 2 was opened on January 30, 2016. It extended the line from Jeongja to Gwanggyo. It was designed to relieve heavy traffic between Suji-gu and Bundang/Seoul. Suji-gu was not a planned city, but rather abruptly developed with large apartment complexes. It has developed to a point where Suji-gu has become more residential than Bundang.
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Migeum Station opened on April 28, 2018, completing the current line.
Art at the Gangam Station platform.
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By Jinho Jung - https://www.flickr.com/photos/phploveme/12483148933/in/photolist-k25Hp2-k28ayb-k26rSr-k26oZc-k26pgK-pgKz7r-pgKAFi, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46774050
Trains run the entire length of the line, except at later hours, when they stop at Jeongja.
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The trains are operated on a system based on communications-based train control (CBTC) technology, utilizing two-way digital radio communications between trains, wayside equipment, and a network of ATS/ATO computers.
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The current line is 31 km (19.3 mi), with all track on the left-hand side. All platforms are equipped with screen doors. Trains are currently six cars long, but platforms are built to accomodate up to ten cars.
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There is a single depot at Gwanggyo.
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The line is operated by multiple private companies, including NeoTrans, Shinbundang Line Corporation, Gyeonggi Railroad, and New Seoul Railroad.
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The current fare to ride the line is higher than the rest of the metro lines, with an extra 900 (74 cents) won charge for using the line. The minimum cost to ride is 2150 won ($1.77). If one crosses Jeongja Station, another 200 won (16 cents) charge is added, due to the owners of Phase 1 and 2 being different. This additional charge has come under significant controversy, and efforts are being made to eliminate the extra charge.
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The headquarters for the Shinbundang Line Corporation at Pangyo Techno Valley.
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​By Imtotallykorean - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71328367
Phase 3's complete route is not confirmed yet, but it will extend the line northwest of Gangnam. The initial plan was to extend the line to Yongsan, but it was revealed that it would potentially share tracks with the newly-approved GTX (Great Train Express) A Line. For now, Phase 3 will only extend to line to Sinsa. Construction began in 2016, scheduled to open in 2022.
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Phase 4 would extend the line southwest from Gwanggyo to Homaesil. This is currently undergoing economic viability assessments by the government, with results expected to be positive.
Shinbundang Line D000-series train D04.
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By Minseong Kim - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46919576
You can read more about the trains running on this line here.
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