Incheon urban rail surpasses 3 billion cumulative passengers after 27 years

Incheon's urban rail network has surpassed 3 billion cumulative passengers, 27 years after its launch.

Incheon Transit Corp. said Wednesday that cumulative ridership on the Incheon urban rail system had crossed the 3 billion mark.

Since its first service in 1999, the network has expanded steadily to connect communities across the city, cementing its role as a core public transit option for residents' daily travel.

By line, Incheon Line 1 recorded the highest cumulative ridership at 2.32 billion passengers as of Wednesday, followed by Incheon Line 2 at 570 million and the Incheon section of Seoul Metro Line 7 at 110 million.

Incheon Line 1 began operations in October 1999 on the Bakchon–Dongmak segment. Extensions followed in 2007 to the Gyeyang area, in 2009 to Songdo, and in 2020 to Songdo Dalbit Festival Park, with last year's opening of the Geomdan extension further broadening its reach.

The line now connects 33 stations from Geomdan Lake Park to Songdo Dalbit Festival Park, serving as the city's primary north-south urban rail corridor.

Incheon Line 2, which opened in 2016 on the Geomdan Oryu–Unyeon segment, operates as an automated light rail system and currently serves 27 stations.

The Incheon section of Line 7 also plays a significant role in Greater Seoul commuter travel. Service began in 2021 with the Seoknam–Sangok segment and expanded in 2022 to cover the Bupyeong-gu Office–Kkachiul stretch. The 11-station Incheon section, running from Kkachiul to Seoknam, now handles a large share of cross-border commuter demand between Seoul and Incheon.

Incheon Transit Corp. has organized a series of events to celebrate the milestone with residents.

An online quiz event open to all residents runs through Wednesday on the company's website and official social media channels, with prizes available for participants.

On Sept. 4, staff will greet morning commuters at major stations in person as part of a customer appreciation event.

"The 3 billion cumulative passengers figure is a meaningful record created by our consistent efforts to expand the urban rail network and the support of residents who have trusted and used Incheon's urban rail," Incheon Transit Corp. President Choe Jeong-gyu said. "We will continue to build public transit that citizens can rely on with greater confidence, through rigorous safety management and service innovation."