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Yesterday, Saturday morning, I took an express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gumi Intercity Bus Terminal. Following my trip last September, this was my second time taking the 06:05 first bus to Gumi.
The Seoul–Gumi route is jointly operated by two companies, Dongyang Express and Jungang Express. Before Dongyang Express was merged into Hanjin Express in 2006, Hanjin Express and Jungang Express had operated the route together for a long time. Out of all the trips, three go via Hwanggan. On weekdays, the trips via Hwanggan continue to Gumi via the Gyeongbu Expressway route, while the non-Hwanggan trips typically take the route via Singal Junction -> Yeongdong Expressway -> Yeoju Junction -> Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway. However, on Saturdays when traffic is heavy, even the non-Hwanggan trips often continue via the Gyeongbu Expressway to utilize the bus-only lane in the Seoul–Shintanjin section.

The 06:05 first bus to Gumi, a Dongyang Express Hyundai Universe Noble (express bus class) premium bus with a 6-speed automatic transmission, was already parked at Platform 10. Since 2020, Dongyang Express has been steadily introducing Universe Noble models with ZF 6-speed automatic transmissions, and they have become the most common model seen on many routes operated by Dongyang Express.

Before departure, the driver came and turned on the LED destination sign. This is the appearance of the initial message on the MagiColor LED destination sign before the destination is set. Looking at the monitor inside the bus, 18 out of the total 28 seats had been ticketed. Afterward, the bus slowly pulled out of the terminal at 06:05.

We entered the southbound Gyeongbu Expressway at the Banpo Junction. I departed at the same time on a Saturday last September, but the traffic seemed much lighter than last month. Since the sun rises late in the morning, it was pitch black when we entered the Gyeongbu Expressway. It felt like riding a late-night premium bus that departs after 22:00.

We continue driving down past the Seoul Tollgate.

We are following a Jungang Express Kia Granbird Sunshine. As we approach the Osan Junction, the day gradually gets brighter.

A kimchi advertisement (Somssiga Kimchi) comes into view ahead. We pass through a section that curves long in an S-shape.

We pass the Pyeongtaek Junction, which branches off to the Pyeongtaek-Yeongwol Expressway. Currently, the Pyeongtaek-Yeongwol Expressway can only be used up to Jecheon. The remaining section from Jecheon to Yeongwol is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2032.

After descending a slope and climbing a hill again, we pass through a section that turns left, passing the Anseong Service Area.

We pass the Cheonan Junction, which branches off to the Cheonan-nonsan Expressway.

After passing the Cheonan Junction, the lanes reduce to 3 lanes one-way (6 lanes round trip). An inbound Seoul Express (based in Cheongju) Granbird Parkway can be seen in the opposite lane.

We pass the Oksan Service Area, where I stopped briefly to rest last September. It started raining just as we were passing the Oksan Service Area.

After passing the Jukam Service Area and the Hoedeok Junction, which branches off to the Honam Expressway Branch Line, a warning sign appears indicating the Daejeon Junction is 2km ahead.

After passing the Daejeon Junction, we head toward the Biryong Junction, which branches off to the Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway. Compared to the Saturday in September, the traffic is not very heavy. Last time, there were many vehicles at the entrance to the Biryong Junction.

We continue heading south on the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Daegu.

Due to the rain and the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the bus, the windshield fogged up. The rain fell endlessly.

We continue driving down past the Geumgang Service Area, which I used to visit very often, and the Okcheon 1 Tunnel.

We pass through the Chupungnyeong Pass. This is the midpoint of the Gyeongbu Expressway, and it is said that the Gyeongbu Line railway running right next to it is also almost at the midpoint.

We exit the highway at the Gumi Junction and enter the city center.

It took exactly 3 hours to reach the Gumi Intercity Bus Terminal (as indicated by the estimated travel time on the Tmoney Go app). A Geuma Travel Granbird Parkway premium bus is parked at the terminal. A bus with "Seoul Nambu ~ Gimcheon" written on its side window had arrived, but that bus departed first for a trip from Gumi to Pohang.

Buses parked in the Gumi Intercity Bus Terminal parking lot. A Gumi Airport Limousine Hyundai Unicity, which connects to Daegu International Airport, is visible. Directly behind it is a Jungang Express Universe Noble, and behind that is the Dongyang Express Universe Noble that I rode to Gumi.

These are the Universe Prime EX125 (12.5m length) models that Gyeongbuk Express has been introducing in large numbers recently. For those deployed as Incheon Airport limousine buses, they also operate premium models. Looking at the side profile, the longer wheelbase compared to existing 12m express buses is noticeable.

This is the Dongyang Express Universe Prestige premium express bus that I boarded for the 10:40 trip to Seoul. It is a 6-speed manual transmission vehicle, and it has already become an older model. The inbound trip to Seoul was fully booked with 21 seats.