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Busan Metro

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The Busan Metro is a massive urban rail system located in Busan, South Korea.

Busan metro now
Busan metro now

It is managed by the Busan Transportation Corporation. This network is vital for moving large numbers of people through the city and surrounding areas. The system is quite large, featuring four main numbered lines. These primary lines serve 114 different stations. When you include the BGL and the Donghae Line, the total number of stations reaches 158.

Busan Subway logo
Busan Subway logo

The entire network covers a total length of 205.6 km.

Navigating the system is designed to be clear for many travelers. All directional signs are written in both Korean and English. When a train arrives, voice announcements tell passengers the next station and which side to exit. These announcements are spoken in Korean and English. At transfer stations, the announcements add Mandarin and Japanese.

Busan Metro Map Geographical
Busan Metro Map Geographical

Every station is also assigned a specific number. The first digit of the station number matches its line. For example, station 123 is located on Line 1. This helps passengers identify their location quickly.

The four main lines each function with different technical specifications. Line 1 is a north-south route with 40 stations. It uses long trains consisting of eight cars each. Line 2 runs east to west and serves 43 stations. These trains are slightly shorter, with six cars per train. Line 3 is a shorter route that uses four-car trains.

Busan metro station
Busan metro station

Line 4 is unique because it is a rubber-tyred metro system. It uses automated guideway transit technology. While it also uses six cars, each car is significantly shorter than those on other lines. This line includes 14 stations, some of which are underground and others above-ground.

History shows that the metro grew through careful planning and many years of work. Plans for Line 1 were first made in 1979. Construction on the first phase began in 1981. This initial stretch opened in July 1985 with seventeen stations. This made Busan the second city in South Korea to have a metro system.

Busan Transportation Corporation
Busan Transportation Corporation

Line 2 construction began in 1991, though it did not open until June 1999. Line 3 construction started in November 1997 and finally began service in 2005. Following the Daegu Subway Fire in 2003, engineers decided to install screen doors at every platform on Line 3. This made it one of the first lines in the world to have screen doors at every single station.

Passengers can pay for their trips using several different methods. Single rides cost 1300 won for short trips. Longer trips cost 1500 won.

BUTA 1100
BUTA 1100

Most ticket machines accept 1000 won notes and coins. Many people prefer using a metro pass, such as the Hanaro Card or the Digital Busan Card. These passes contain a microchip. Passengers simply lay the card against a sensor plate at the entrance or exit. This is more efficient than magnetic stripe cards because the sensor can detect the card through a wallet. Using these passes can also provide a 10% discount for adults and a 20% discount for youth.

Beyond the main lines, the network includes specialized light rail systems. The Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit, or BGL, connects Busan to the city of Gimhae. It opened in September 2011 and has 21 stations. All of these stations are located above-ground. The BGL uses small trains with only two cars each. Another important connection is the Donghae Line. This line runs along the coast and has been upgraded for commuter service. It was extended to Taehwagang Station in Ulsan by 2021. These lines help link different cities together into one large transit web.

Future plans aim to expand the reach of the Busan Metro even further. There are proposals for a Gyeongjeon-Donghae Line. This would link Masan in Changwon to Taehwagang in Ulsan by passing through Busan. New lines are also being planned, such as Line 5. This light metro would connect Sasang and Hadan. It is expected to have seven stations and a length of 6.9 km. Other expansions include extending Line 2 to the East Busan Tourism Complex. These projects show how the city continues to grow its transportation capabilities.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Busan_metro_now.svg
Busan_metro_now.svg
File:Busan Metro Map Geographical.png
Busan Metro Map Geographical.png
File:Busan Subway logo.svg
Busan Subway logo.svg
File:Korail logo.svg
Korail logo.svg
File:Busan metro station.jpg
Busan metro station.jpg
File:Busan Transportation Corporation.JPG
Busan Transportation Corporation.JPG
File:BUTA 1100.JPG
BUTA 1100.JPG
File:Busan metro fu.svg
Busan metro fu.svg
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