Implementation Begins on the 19th, Extends to Yangsan Line Next Year
Commuters and Students Can Save Over 20,000 Won Per Month on Transportation Costs
The additional transfer fee for public transportation between Busan, Gimhae, and Yangsan will be eliminated.
The Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced on the 18th that starting from the 19th, the metropolitan public transportation transfer fare will be free of charge.
From the very first day of implementation, citizens using buses, subways, and light rail will be able to transfer up to two times between a maximum of three different modes of transportation without the usual additional fee of 500 won. The city expects that citizens who use metropolitan public transportation daily for commuting or school will be able to save more than 20,000 won per month on transportation costs.
The same free transfer policy will apply to transfers between the Yangsan Line (Nopo to Yangsan Jungang), which is scheduled to open next year, and Busan’s public transportation system. The city also plans to gradually expand the metropolitan transfer area to include Geoje, Changwon (Jinhae Yongwon), and Ulsan in the long term.
A short-term public transportation pass for tourists (1, 3, and 7-day passes) is also set to be introduced as part of improvements to the transportation card system. Discussions are underway regarding the introduction of an integrated commuter pass that will connect to neighboring cities such as Gimhae and Yangsan.
This policy is being recognized as a practical, citizen-oriented initiative of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Super Metropolitan Economic Alliance. Citizens of Busan, Gimhae, and Yangsan, who share the same living sphere, will directly benefit, and it is expected to help establish the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region as a 30-minute living zone.
Currently, public transportation connecting Busan, Gimhae, and Yangsan includes light rail and 38 bus routes operated by approximately 290 buses. In October 2023, Busan became the first city in the country to implement free public transportation fares for children, and has since expanded this benefit to include Gimhae and Yangsan.
Mayor Park Hyungjoon emphasized, "Making metropolitan transfer fares free is more than just a transportation policy; it is an important first step symbolizing cooperation and mutual prosperity in the southeastern region centered on Busan. Moving forward, Busan will continue to lead the way in developing an innovative metropolitan transportation model that transcends administrative boundaries by expanding the transfer area to include Changwon, Geoje, and eventually Ulsan."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
