Table of Contents
- New Standards for Public Transport: The Current Status and Future of Busan BRT
- Current Status of BRT Construction and Implementation Effects
- BRT Expansion Plans and Future Routes
- Establishing BRT in Busan is Not Easy
- Dongbaek Pass and Big Bus, the Core of Transportation Innovation
- Busan's Public Transport Innovation: Achievements and Challenges
New Standards for Public Transport: The Current Status and Future of Busan BRT
Busan is actively expanding its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to transform into a public transportation-centered city.
The BRT construction plan, which includes new routes such as Munhyeon-Suyong, Daetii-Hadan, Hadan-Jinhae Yongwon, and Gupo-Deokcheon, represents a significant turning point that goes beyond simply expanding bus routes and aims to change the paradigm of urban transportation.
This change is expected to make Busan's transportation system more efficient and provide convenient public transport services to its citizens.
This article examines the current situation and future plans for Busan's BRT, along with the implementation of the 'Dongbaek Pass' and 'Big Bus' transportation innovation policies. It aims to enhance the understanding of the changes in Busan's public transportation system.
Current Status of BRT Construction and Implementation Effects
Currently, Busan operates a total of 30.3km of BRT routes consisting of 4 axes, with a project cost of approximately 106.1 billion won and 125 bus stops.
The main routes are as follows: The section from Naesung to Jungdong is 10.4km long with 44 stops, Naesung to Seomyun spans 5.9km with 23 stops, Seomyun to Chungmu is 8.6km with 36 stops, and finally, the route from Seomyun to Sasang is 5.4km with 22 stops.
The effects of implementing the BRT are clearly evident. The comparison before and after implementation has shown the following results:
The average bus operating speed increased from 14.9km/h to 21.5km/h, an improvement of about 6.6km/h. Additionally, the number of passengers increased from 32,537 to 34,302 per hour, recording a 5.4% growth. Punctuality also improved, reducing the average waiting time from 2-3 minutes to between 1 minute 22 seconds and 1 minute 45 seconds, showing a general improvement of about 1 minute 30 seconds.
Notably, the section between Naesung and Seomyun experienced an improvement in speed by 9.7km/h and a 56.5% enhancement in punctuality. The Seomyun to Sasang section also showed a 7.4% increase in the number of passengers.
In a satisfaction survey, more than 60% of respondents expressed their satisfaction with the BRT, and over 64% indicated the need for further expansion of the BRT system, suggesting that the BRT is having many positive impacts.
BRT Expansion Plans and Future Routes
In addition to the existing 30.3km BRT system consisting of 4 operating routes, Busan plans to establish 3 new routes totaling 27.1km. This will bring the BRT system to a total of 7 routes covering 57.4km.
The new routes will include 6.8km from Munhyeon to Suyong, 4.4km from Daetii to Hadan (including extensions), and 15.9km from Hadan to Jinhae Yongwon. These changes will contribute to further advancements in Busan's public transportation system.
The development plan for the section from Gupo to Deokcheon is also included, with collaboration currently taking place between local districts and relevant departments.
As a result, active exchanges of opinions and reviews among various municipalities and transportation agencies are being conducted, indicating that actual construction may commence soon, by February 2025.
Establishing BRT in Busan is Not Easy
The section connecting Munhyeon and Suyong currently experiences an average speed of about 20km during peak hours, leading to frequent congestion. If the central 2 lanes of a 6-lane road were converted to exclusive BRT lanes, only 2 general lanes would remain, raising concerns about increased waiting times at intersections.
The Nakdong Expressway along the Daetii-Hadan section currently operates with 6-8 lanes in both directions and dedicated bus-only lanes during certain hours. Changing this to a permanent central lane is expected to significantly reduce the traffic capacity for trucks and commuter vehicles on major roads in western Busan.
However, in both routes, left-turn pockets will be reduced, parking spaces in front of businesses will disappear, and auxiliary construction such as changing the position of traffic islands will be needed. If these changes are not accepted by the public or if traffic simulation results are inadequate, progress on this project may encounter difficulties.
Dongbaek Pass and Big Bus: The Core of Transportation Innovation
In addition to expanding the BRT, Busan is implementing the 'Dongbaek Pass' and 'Big Bus' policies to increase public transport usage rates.
The 'Dongbaek Pass' is the first integrated transportation discount system introduced in the country in August 2023, with a subscriber count reaching 670,000 as of March 2025, achieving a satisfaction rate of 93% and garnering positive responses from citizens.
A mobile app service is also expected to be launched in the second half of this year, which will further improve user accessibility. These efforts are likely to contribute significantly to the activation of public transportation in Busan.
The Big Bus is a newly designed city bus that will be implemented from 2024. This bus reflects Busan's identity and eco-friendly image. As of now, 52 units have been replaced, and in the future, 200 to 300 units will be replaced sequentially each year. From 2025, they are planned to be used as the main vehicles on the BRT routes.
Busan's Public Transport Innovation: Achievements and Challenges
Busan's BRT system is contributing to improving the quality of transportation services beyond just dedicated bus lanes. Improvements are being made in terms of speed, punctuality, and utilization.
With new BRT routes like Munhyeon-Suyong and Hadan-Jinhae confirmed, Busan's public transport system is at the cusp of innovation.
If citizen voices are reflected and policies continue to expand, along with cooperation between the Dongbaek Pass and Big Bus, Busan is likely to establish itself as a true hub of public transportation.
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