Airport Railroad Revamps Seoul Station Terminal for Enhanced Passenger Convenience

The Airport Railroad has officially launched its revamped AREX Urban Terminal at Seoul Station, aiming to significantly enhance the travel experience for its growing passenger base. The direct train service has seen a substantial increase in ridership, with annual numbers reaching 2.66 million in the past year, a figure 35% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The urban terminal itself has also experienced consistent growth, serving an average of 1,302 passengers daily.

During peak travel times, such as holidays like Lunar New Year and Japanese Golden Week, the urban terminal's daily usage can surge by over 70%, exceeding 2,000 passengers. This surge highlighted the need for improved efficiency and comfort, prompting the Airport Railroad to implement several upgrades since October. These enhancements focus on reducing check-in congestion and expanding waiting areas.

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The Seoul Station Urban Terminal is a flagship customer service of Airport Railroad that allows passengers to complete check-in, baggage drop, and immigration procedures in the city center.

Key improvements include the introduction of a new queuing system, which allows passengers to obtain a number via kiosk and wait in designated areas while monitoring their turn on screens, thereby eliminating the need to queue directly at check-in counters. Additionally, smart baggage scales have been installed to help passengers easily check for excess baggage before proceeding with check-in. The passenger flow has also been streamlined with clear numbering for each step, guiding travelers smoothly from information centers and currency exchange to check-in counters, immigration, and the direct train gate.

The waiting area has been expanded by converting former staff meeting rooms into passenger space, and additional room has been secured for direct train users by filling in parts of an open area. The layout of fences and gates has been adjusted for better separation between waiting and processing zones. Park Dae-soo, CEO of Airport Railroad, stated that the renovation aims to provide a more relaxed and convenient start to travel, promising continuous service improvements based on customer feedback.

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Through this renewal, we have created an environment where passengers can start their journey more leisurely and conveniently, and we will continue to improve facilities and services by reflecting customer opinions.