Seoul Subway Line 3 (dubbed ''The Orange Line'') of the
Seoul Metropolitan Subway is a
rapid transit
Rapid transit or mass rapid transit (MRT) or heavy rail, commonly referred to as metro, is a type of high-capacity public transport that is generally built in urban areas. A grade separation, grade separated rapid transit line below ground su ...
service that connects
Eunpyeong District to Gangnam and southeastern Seoul. Most trains head further northwest to serve
Goyang
Goyang (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province in the north of South Korea. It is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, making Goyang one of Seoul's Satellite city, satellite cities. It is one of the largest cities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, w ...
via the
Ilsan Line. In 2021, the Seoul Metro operated section had an annual ridership of 295,930,000 or 810,767 passengers per day.
In December 2010 the line is recorded as having the second highest
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for Wireless LAN, local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by ...
data consumption in the Seoul Metropolitan area. It averaged 1.8 times more than the other 14 subway lines fitted with Wi-Fi service zones.
History
Construction began in 1980, and the first section of Line 3 opened (Gupabal–Yangjae; Jichuk opened in 1990) after the completion of work in two stages during 1985, along with subway
Line 4. In October 1993, a second extension to the south was opened (Yangjae–Suseo).
In March 1996, the
Korail Ilsan Line opened and allowed Line 3 trains to
through operate all the way to the city of
Goyang
Goyang (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province in the north of South Korea. It is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, making Goyang one of Seoul's Satellite city, satellite cities. It is one of the largest cities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, w ...
. There are two depots near
Jichuk station and
Suseo station, which are for both Korail and Seoul Metro.
A extension opened on February 18, 2010, stretching from Suseo to Garak Market (
Line 8) and Ogeum (
Line 5).
On December 27, 2014,
Wonheung station opened between
Wondang and
Samsong stations.
Tourism
In January 2013, the
Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, published free guidebooks in three languages: English, Japanese and Chinese (simplified and traditional), which features eight tours as well as recommendations for accommodations, restaurants and shopping centers. The tours are designed with different themes for travel along the subway lines, e.g. Korean traditional culture, which goes from
Jongno 3-ga station to
Anguk station and
Gyeongbokgung station on this line that showcases antique shops and art galleries of
Insa-dong.
Stations
Rolling stock
Current
*
VVVF inverter-controlled electric car
** First generation – since 2009
** Second generation – since 2022
*
Korail Class 3000
** Second generation – since 2023
** Third generation – since 2023
File:Seoul Metro Class 3000 (3936), Line 3, Daegok (20240408) (54220768044).jpg, Seoul Metro 3000 series VVVF inverter-controlled (First generation)
File:Seoul Metro Class 3000 (3045), Line 3, Daegok (20240408) (54219625837).jpg, Seoul Metro 3000 series VVVF inverter-controlled (Second generation)
File:Korail 3000 (2nd-gen), Line 3, Daegok (20240408) (54220929710).jpg, Korail Class 3000 (Second generation)
File:Korail 3000 (3rd-gen), Line 3, Daegok (20240408).jpg, Korail Class 3000 (Third generation)
Former
* Seoul Metro 3000 series
** Chopper-controlled from
GEC Traction electric car (from 1989–2022, some transferred from
Seoul Subway Line 4)
** Chopper-controlled from GEC Traction electric car (rebuilt cars) (from 2010–2022)
*
Korail Class 3000
** First generation (from 1995–2024)
File:Seoul_Metro_Line_3_train_(GEC)_arriving_at_Oksu.jpg, Seoul Metro 3000 series Chopper-controlled EMU
File:옥수역에 진입하는 오금행 3x74편성.jpg, Korail Class 3000 (First generation)
See also
*
Subways in South Korea
*
Seoul Metropolitan Subway
Notes
References
External links
KorailSeoul Metropolitan Government's Line 3 extension page includes a route map and status information for the extension from Suseo to Garak Market.
Map, station and route finder
{{South Korea rapid transit
Seoul Metropolitan Subway lines
Railway lines opened in 1985