Table of Contents
- Relocation of Nopo Vehicle Depot? It’s time to show commitment over profitability
- Relocation of Vehicle Depot 900 billion won... What is the practical utility?
- Establishment of a new KTX station? Its feasibility is uncertain
- Nopo Bus Terminal, from ghost terminal to transfer center?
- If it were in the capital region, it would have already been developed
- What must precede feasibility is the will to realize
Relocation of Nopo Vehicle Depot? It’s time to show commitment over profitability
A plan has been announced to relocate the urban railway line 1 in the Nopo-dong area of Geumjeong-gu, Busan, and develop the surrounding area.
The cost-benefit (B/C) index shows 1.077, indicating the feasibility of the project. However, there are several challenges that must be addressed for the project to proceed.
Relocation of Vehicle Depot 900 billion won... What is the practical utility?
Busan City announced the results of the ‘Pre-feasibility Study for Vehicle Depot Relocation’ which includes the relocation of the Nopo Vehicle Depot, implemented since April 2023.
According to this study, the total project cost is approximately 918.4 billion won, with a planned route expansion of 4.6 km and the relocation of the Nopo and Sinpyeong vehicle depots included. Notably, the B/C (cost-benefit) analysis result is 1.077, which means it is assessed as a significant project economically.
Such results are expected to positively impact the improvement of Busan's transportation infrastructure.
In May, Busan City is expected to issue a project to establish a 'Master Plan for Comprehensive Development in the Nopo Station Area.' This project aims to create a comprehensive development plan encompassing the Nopo-dong area, including the relocation of the vehicle depot. Additionally, plans to release the green belt and water source protection areas will also be proposed. Such plans are expected to contribute to the development of Busan.
The planned location for the relocation of the vehicle depot is in the Imgiri area of Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun. This area is likely to integrate the existing Nopo and Sinpyeong vehicle depots into a new large-scale vehicle depot.
Moreover, this region is close to the KTX line, and there are reports of plans to install a ‘Northern Busan KTX Station’ near the integrated vehicle depot.
This plan can be seen as a strategy to strengthen the transportation hub of Northern Busan and enhance connectivity with surrounding areas such as Yangsan and Gijang. The expansion of transportation infrastructure is expected to have a positive impact on regional development.
Establishment of a new KTX station? Its feasibility is uncertain
A new KTX station, 'Northern Busan KTX Station,' is scheduled to be established near Cheolma-myeon.
Although it has been claimed that the economic viability has been confirmed through large-scale research, approval for additional stops requires critical strategy and budget decisions from the Korea Railroad Corporation.
Considering the complexity of this matter, local development alone may not suffice, and there is a high possibility of difficulties in the assessment by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Nopo Bus Terminal, from ghost terminal to transfer center?
The relocation of the Nopo Vehicle Depot is closely related to the development of the Busan Comprehensive Bus Terminal beyond the railway issues. Currently, the number of users at the Nopo Bus Terminal has drastically decreased to one-fifth of that in 2001, and the increase in empty commercial spaces has transformed it into a symbol of decline rather than positively impacting the local economy.
If the development master plan around Nopo Station comes to fruition, it has been suggested that it could transform into a complex transfer center like Daegu Dongdaegu Station. However, for such changes to take place, the release of the green belt and water protection areas must precede it, raising questions about how smoothly this process will progress.
If it were in the capital region, it would have already been developed
The current project for the relocation of the vehicle depot and extensions is something that would have already been implemented in the capital region.
In Seoul, when a subway line is extended, new towns, transfer centers, and commercial districts are often developed together. Thus, it can be speculated that discussions of a major rail extension would have naturally taken place in areas like Yangsan city or Woongsan.
However, in Busan, especially in areas considered 'outskirts' like Nopo-dong, development plans have been continuously discussed for years, yet there is no actual progress.
What must precede feasibility is the will to realize
Recently, the results of the economic analysis regarding the relocation of the Nopo Vehicle Depot and the Northern Busan development project are positive. However, the feasibility appears to be low due to various regulations such as green belts, water source protection areas, and cultural heritage protection zones.
In this context, what should be highlighted is the practical executability such as negotiations for easing regulations, listening to residents' opinions, and political will, rather than a simple cost-benefit ratio (B/C index).
If there had been a strong will, regulatory easing efforts should have begun years ago, and the planning should have already been underway by now. The sincerity with which Busan City and the political circles can push this project remains uncertain.
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