Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor, on Tuesday unveiled a "30-minute commute transformation for the Greater Seoul area" as her key transportation pledge. The plan aims to ease the commuting burden on Gyeonggi residents and tightly connect the metropolitan transit network.
Choo announced the transportation pledges Tuesday morning at the GTX-A plaza at Dongtan Station.
"Transportation is not merely a means of movement but a basic right that guarantees the lives of 14.2 million Gyeonggi residents," she said. "I will return to residents the time wasted on the road."
The core of Choo's pledge centers on the smooth progress of GTX (Great Train Express) lines and strengthened connectivity.
Choo said she would minimize inconvenience for residents by ensuring the normal progress of the first-phase GTX-A, B and C lines, while pushing for the second-phase GTX-D, E and F lines to be reflected in the 5th National Railway Network Plan and to begin construction swiftly. She also stressed that she would secure the grounds for the GTX Plus G and H lines to be included in the national railway network plan.
She also presented measures to build connecting transit networks to enhance GTX convenience. The plan calls for strengthening links with urban railways in nearby areas and preparing administrative and financial support measures at the Gyeonggi provincial level.
Choo also announced plans to introduce a "Greater Seoul One Pass" that would connect Gyeonggi, Seoul and Incheon. The initiative aims to allow residents to conveniently use metropolitan public transportation with a single card, reducing transfer inconvenience and easing the burden of transit costs. The plan is also linked to the metropolitan administrative council initiative proposed last month by Democratic Party candidates from Gyeonggi, Seoul and Incheon.
The pledges also include expanded transit fare support for children and adolescents. Choo said she would expand transit subsidies for those aged 6 to 18, broadening opportunities to use cultural and sports facilities and participate in social activities. She described it as a life-oriented policy to guarantee the mobility rights of future generations and ease household transit costs.
In the metropolitan bus sector, she plans to expand the "Gyeonggi Pyeonha-G Bus" service. Based on the current system of 23 routes and 81 daily operations, the plan is to diversify routes and increase the number of vehicles following demand surveys. Through this, she said she would reduce the long waiting lines at metropolitan bus stops, improve access to the Greater Seoul area and ease traffic inconvenience during commuting hours.
"The long lines at metropolitan bus stops every morning show the desperate transportation reality of Gyeonggi residents," Choo said. "I will take meticulous care so that residents no longer suffer inconvenience on the road."
"I will become a reliable worker who returns precious daily life and time to Gyeonggi residents," she added. "I will open an era of a 30-minute commute transformation for the Greater Seoul area from anywhere in Gyeonggi."
