Nationwide First 'Personal Mobility Device-Public Transport Transfer Discount' Busan City, Pilot Operation

500 KRW Discount on Transportation Card for PM Users Transferring Within 30 Minutes

Up to 200 PMs Pilot Operated in Busan National University, Busan Metro Busan National University Station, Jangjeon Station, and Geumjeong-gu Area

PM-Bus Tran

Busan City is the first in the nation to pilot the ‘PM-Public Transportation Transfer Discount Project,’ which offers discounts when transferring between personal mobility devices (PM) and public transportation.

PM (Personal Mobility) refers to devices defined under Article 19-2 of the Road Traffic Act and Article 2-3 of the Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act, including ▲electric kickboards ▲electric two-wheeled parallel vehicles ▲bicycles powered solely by electric motors.

This initiative is part of the ‘Busan-type Public Transportation Innovation Plan’ announced last year, aiming to activate public transportation use and improve accessibility by utilizing shared PM as a safe and convenient first-last mile access method.

Additionally, it proactively responds to the paradigm shift toward eco-friendly transportation alternatives replacing fossil fuels, and by maximizing the economic efficiency, speed, and eco-friendliness advantages of shared PM, it is expected to receive strong support from PM users and create a groundbreaking impact on the activation of short-distance transportation methods.

In November last year, the city signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding for the Promotion of Shared PM Usage Safety Improvement and Safety Enhancement Project’ with PM companies and the operator of the integrated transportation payment system, continuously working to secure both the activation and safety of shared PM.

According to the agreement, during the pilot project period, ▲the city will provide administrative support for project execution and analyze the project’s effectiveness, and ▲the transportation card company will develop the system and cover the pilot project costs (150 million KRW).

The newly piloted ‘PM-Public Transportation Transfer Discount Project’ allows users to register their transportation card once, and then simply tap the card when boarding a bus or subway after using a PM to receive an immediate fare discount.

Previously, shared PM users had to install each company’s app and go through multiple steps such as scanning QR codes every time, but this project is notable for enabling easy use with just a single transportation card registration.

While Seoul offers discounts in the form of fixed-amount passes when transferring between public bicycles and public transportation, this project targets PM and provides immediate discounts through transportation cards, distinguishing it from other cities and provinces.

Similar to the existing public transportation transfer system where transfers within 30 minutes are recognized, the 30-minute transfer window also applies when transferring between PM and public transportation, with a discount of 500 KRW available in such cases.

The pilot project has been operating since March 1 in areas including Busan National University, Busan National University Station, and Jangjeon Station in Geumjeong District. The scope of public transportation coverage will be expanded in phases.

Business location also includes off-campus locations (5) and on-campus locations (4).

From March, transfers between 50 PM units and buses will be supported, and from May, the scope will expand to include subways, with plans to operate up to 200 units.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “If the pilot project shows positive results after performance analysis, we plan to expand it citywide. This transfer discount pilot project will serve as a catalyst to build a personal mobility ecosystem and realize the value of a 15-minute city, which is our city’s vision.”