Agreement with the Korea Railroad Research Institute… Operation from Airport to Old Town to Jeju Port by 2030
Securing 60% of the total project cost through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s urban railway network project is crucial
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 30th that it will sign a business agreement with the Korea Railroad Research Institute in July to establish an urban railway network plan and conduct a preliminary feasibility study for the implementation of hydrogen trams (streetcars).
The province plans to utilize the results of the 700 million won study, expected to be released at the end of next year, for ▲hydrogen tram feasibility analysis and route confirmation ▲connection with other transportation methods ▲installation of transfer centers and adjustment of bus routes ▲funding plans ▲preliminary verification and evaluation of the feasibility study.
Ahead of this, the province held resident briefings last April in the anticipated tram route areas of Ildo 1-dong, Samdo 2-dong, Yongdam 1 & 2-dong, Yeondong, and Nohyeong-dong. During the briefings, 80 opinions from residents were presented.
Kim Yong-woo, the province’s transportation policy team leader, said, “The tram’s wheels are embedded in the road, allowing for flat boarding instead of stair-like vertical boarding, making it more convenient for those with difficulties accessing transport systems, such as wheelchair and stroller users. It will not only alleviate the complex urban traffic congestion but also establish itself as a punctual new transportation system.”
The province has planned a total route of 11.74 km from Nohyeong-dong to Shinjeju Rotary to the old Haetae Hill to Jeju Airport to Seomun Market to Gwandeokjeong to Jeju Port.
The tram can accommodate 300 passengers per car, with a total of five cars connected, similar to a subway. It has been developed as a tram free of high voltage line that uses lithium-ion batteries as the main power source.
The province plans to introduce a total of seven hydrogen trams connecting the airport, old town, and Jeju port by 2030.
The province aims to secure 60% (2.635 billion won) of the total project cost of 4.391 billion won through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s urban railway network project.
If selected for the urban railway network project, up to 60% of the cost can be funded by the government.
The province plans to hold a final report meeting at the end of next year to finalize the hydrogen tram plan, followed by a briefing for residents and a report to the provincial council before applying for the urban railway network project with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. After passing the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance by the end of 2026, the hydrogen tram will be fully operational by 2030.
Meanwhile, in the preliminary feasibility review conducted last October, the cost-benefit (B/C) ratio, which is the total benefit divided by the total cost, was 0.77. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s criteria for the urban railway network project is a cost-benefit (B/C) ratio of 0.7 or higher.
The province plans to raise the cost-benefit (B/C) ratio to 0.8 or higher through the study with the Korea Railroad Research Institute.
Source: Jeju News, June 30, 2024
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