In October 2011 Shinbundang line was formally opened, providing commuter rail service between Gangnam district, one of the most populated, dynamic, and influential district of Seoul, and suburb residential area, called Bundang. With the opening of this line people of the Seoul metropolitan area is placed in possession of the alternative to their commuter traveling, which is undoubtedly based on the up-to-date system of express transit. The line allows 20 minutes faster than before, cutting the current more than 40 minutes trip to about 16 minutes.
Express service brings a great number of travel time savings over those who travel on daily basis with greater satisfaction. However, transportation service indices including the number of passengers, income result, and modal shift, do not reach expected or desired level, thus the question arising that what is the way to improve operational effectiveness.
Based on the analysis of travel behavior characteristics the followings were identified as the reasons why this line are less attractive. Firstly, it is difficult to transfer to core area and to be competitive against commuter bus service because the line does not have better regional connection to the urban metro and bus system. Secondly, a short distance travel needs to pay for up to 70% more as basic fare in unified metropolitan fare system. Thirdly, there are more effective bus system to major urban area proving service of the same characteristics. Finally, Bundang line, constructed for the commuters of Bundang district, recently opened its northen extension and works on many levels as a competitor, allowing quick trip to central eastern Seoul, access to job opportunities, and easy connection to the existing rail networks.
In order to attract more commuter drivers in the congested corridor, it is important to discuss some issues about its desired function, role, and low ticket revenues. Firstly, the line needs to be associated with an intermodal system with service provided by local bus. For doing so, it can be optional that transit agency operates other mode of transport, serving as a feeder. Secondly, the analysis illustrates that a total number of passengers may increase up to 20% if the line relies on zone-based pricing as low as basic fare in the unified metropolitan fare system. Thirdly, it is needed to be taken into account that the line extends to the core of Seoul to overcome time consuming transfer and short bus trip to the final destination. Finally, other ways to making the line more competitive are expanding operating hours, running train with the short headway during non peak hours, offering a cultural event for passengers, and so on.