[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-seon] Gyeongbuk Province and Daegu City have decided to introduce the ‘Metropolitan Public Transportation Transfer System,’ which allows Daegu city buses to operate up to Gumi and Gimcheon by the end of 2024, to enable residents to use public transportation more conveniently in areas closely related to their daily lives.
The Metropolitan Public Transportation Transfer System is a system that allows transfers between public transportation in Daegu and the eight neighboring cities and counties in Gyeongbuk within the shared living area. It is a shared living area project where Daegu and Gyeongbuk are promoting broad cooperation for mutual prosperity and balanced development.
Daegu City plans to expand the current Daegu city bus routes, which operate only up to Gyeongsan and Yeongcheon, to eight cities and counties including Gimcheon, Gumi, Yeongcheon, Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, Goryeong, Seongju, and Chilgok, in line with the opening of the Daegu metropolitan railroad by the end of 2024.
Daegu City and Gyeongbuk Province are currently conducting a review study to introduce a transfer system including transfer methods, fares, and settlements, aiming for implementation by the end of 2024. Through a final report meeting, the optimal transfer system will be decided for Daegu city buses, Daegu urban rail, and city buses of the eight neighboring cities and counties in Gyeongbuk near Daegu.
Additionally, next year, Daegu City and the neighboring cities and counties plan to finalize the transfer system through consultation and develop the operational system.
A Gyeongbuk Province official stated, “Currently, the Daegu city bus fare is 1,250 won when using a transportation card, and transfers are possible. However, the fare for city buses operating from Daegu to the eight neighboring cities and counties such as Gimcheon and Gumi, starting from the end of 2024, is being strongly considered to be set at 1,400 won.”
Once the public transportation transfer system is implemented, it is expected to be very convenient as residents of Gyeongbuk visiting Daegu or Daegu citizens visiting Gyeongbuk by public transportation will be able to receive discounts.
Lee Dal-hee, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “We expect the Daegu-Gyeongbuk public transportation transfer system to serve as a catalyst for expanding exchanges between Daegu and Gyeongbuk,” and added, “We will work together to create the optimal public transportation transfer system to resolve inconveniences for residents using buses and to revitalize public transportation.”
The Daegu metropolitan railroad project plans to run trains on the 61.85 km section from Gumi to Gyeongsan using the existing Gyeongbu Line. The project, costing 198.7 billion won, is scheduled to open in 2024. Two stations, Sagok Station in Gumi and Seodaegu Station, will be newly established, while the rest will use existing stations. After this project is completed, Gyeongbuk Province plans to construct the section from Gumi to Gimcheon.
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