Project Cost 2.586 Trillion KRW, Total Length 47 km
The Great Construction of 2030 Busan Expo Infrastructure
South Korea's first hydrogen railway, which will cover over 50 km from end to end across Busan in just about 20 minutes, is set to be actively promoted. The project cost exceeds 2.5 trillion KRW.
This grand project aims to alleviate severe traffic congestion in downtown Busan, expand access transportation networks in line with the construction of Gadeok New Airport, and establish infrastructure for hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo.
On the 23rd, Busan City announced that it will actively promote the 'Next-Generation Busan-Type Express Railway Project (BuTX)'. The 'Next-Generation Busan-Type Express Railway' is a system that introduces high-speed, low-carbon, eco-friendly hydrogen railway vehicles operating underground.
Busan City began a preliminary feasibility study in December 2021, which reviewed a total route length of 47.9 km with six stations (Gadeokdo New Airport∼Myeongji∼Hadan∼Bukhang∼Centum∼Osiria).
The estimated project cost is 2.586 trillion KRW, with a daily transport capacity of 113,000 passengers. The economic cost-benefit ratio (B/C) is 0.88, and the comprehensive evaluation (AHP) is about 0.722, indicating that the project’s feasibility has been secured. Furthermore, once BuTX opens, it is expected that travel time from Gadeok New Airport to Bukhang will be 15 minutes, and to Osiria 26 minutes.
Based on the results of this study, Busan City will start a commercialization strategy study in March this year. This study will establish a complex development plan for the six stations to improve residents' convenience and regional development, and will review specific project promotion directions such as financial or private investment development to accelerate the project.
Busan City plans to ease the financial burden of the next-generation Busan-type express railway project and prepare an efficient and optimal project promotion plan, aiming to discuss project promotion plans with the government by the end of this year.
Also, as the opening of Gadeokdo New Airport has been advanced to the end of 2029, the BuTX construction project will be carried out diligently from next year to ensure it opens in time for the 2030 Busan World Expo.
Through the '2030 Busan Expo Southeast Region New Transportation Means and Traffic System Efficiency Study' launched in November last year, BuTX will be expanded to the Southeast region by linking the key hub of Gadeok New Airport and the 2030 World Expo venue.
The city plans to actively propose that the validated route by the end of this year be included in the government's 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.
Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, emphasized, "The next-generation Busan-type express railway will not only solve the serious traffic problems in downtown Busan but also enhance the competitiveness of Gadeok New Airport as an international airport and serve as essential infrastructure for the successful hosting of the 2030 Busan World Expo."
Mayor Park said, "Through the project to introduce hydrogen railway vehicle technology for the first time in Korea, the next-generation Busan-type express railway will serve as a stepping stone for the city to leap forward as an eco-friendly hydrogen advanced city and move one step closer to becoming a city where residents can live within a 15-minute radius."
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