Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, said on the 8th it plans to start operating metropolitan buses M4166 and 4105 in the second half of the year, linking Gangnam University Station and Yangji Pine Resort with Seoul Station. This follows the issuance of a limited license under the semi-public operation system for metropolitan buses by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Transport Commission.
The routes are M4166, connecting Gangnam University Station and Seoul Station, and 4105, running between Yangji Pine Resort and Seoul Station. These routes were newly established to meet metropolitan transport demand in the northwestern and southeastern areas of Yongin.
M4166 starts at Gangnam University Station and runs to Seoul Station via Suwon Country Club, Giheung Station, Lotte Castle Sky, IAAN Dudream, Baik Nam June Art Center, Sangmi Village, and Singal Five-way Intersection. A total of five buses will make 20 trips a day, with three additional demand-responsive charter trips during the morning commute. The vehicles are 71-seat double-decker electric buses equipped with air purifiers and phone chargers. After completing installation of charging facilities at the Namdong public depot, operations will begin in the second half of the year.
Route 4105 will begin operating on Aug. 1, departing from Yangji Pine Resort and running to Seoul Station via Yangji Sageori, Dongbu-dong Administrative Center, Seoul Hospital, Gorim High School, Yurim-dong and Bangchuk, Dunjeon Station, Pogok, Jeondae and Everland. A total of eight buses will make 32 trips a day. The vehicles are 45-seat CNG (compressed natural gas) buses equipped with air purifiers and phone chargers.
Since 2022, Yongin has conducted demand surveys and consistently proposed establishing the routes. Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin met with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) second vice minister in June 2024 and explained the difficulties faced by local residents commuting to Seoul. The routes were then selected as new lines by the Metropolitan Transport Commission in November last year, and after recruiting operators, selecting a preferred bidder, and going through negotiations, the license was issued.
Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin said, "We expect the new metropolitan bus routes to improve transportation convenience for residents traveling to and from Seoul Station," adding, "We will complete preparations for vehicles, depots, and operations without delay before service begins so residents can use the metropolitan buses stably."