Express trains for Ansan now run in both directions.If you use Line 4 regularly then you’ll know about the express trains that run during peak times between Ansan (안산) and Danggogae (당고개).
The trains are for those living in the Ansan area and only run on weekdays with just five trains to Danggogae in the morning and three trains from Danggogae to Ansan in the evening. While it is an “express train”, you won’t actually be saving too much time. The train only skips stations on the Ansan section, stopping at the following stations: Ansan, Jangang, Sangnoksu and Sanbon. The train is then all-stop from Geumjeong to Danggogae and saves a total of 7 minutes if travelling from Ansan to Danggogae. Check out Gogoon’s blog for a great graphic detailing time saved.
The express service on the Ansan section is actually not new and began back in 2010 but only operated in Danggogae direction in the mornings. Nevertheless, there must have been demand for services as evening trains began operating in Ansan direction from September last year. I guess that even if passengers aren’t cutting down on their commute time by a huge amount, it still probably feels much faster to skip a number of stations (just look at the rush for the Line 9 rapids).
Thanks for the update, Andy. Good to hear the express goes both ways now.
I used to go out to Ansan often and wouldn’t have minded saving a couple minutes on the ride. But the time saved is quite small. I’m not sure how worth one’s while it would be with the current stations included. If they were to run express trains from, say Seoul Station, that would be a real benefit. (Maybe Seoul Station, Samgakji, Ichon, Dongjak, Isu, Sadang, Government Complex Gwacheon, Pyoungchon, Beomgye, and then along the current route.) I hope they’re thinking about something like that.
Thanks as usual for the information!