Busan, South Korea -To elevate its status as the nation’s premier public transportation-friendly city, Busan has unveiled the prepaid “Dongbaek Pass” today. This initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at encouraging the use of public transportation across the city, with activities kicking off simultaneously in 15 locations known for their high commuter traffic.
The city’s effort to promote public transportation use commenced at 7:30 AM across various strategic locations, including major subway stations like Yeonsan, Busan City Hall, and Seomyeon. The campaign witnessed the participation of over 370 individuals, comprising officials from the Transportation Department, Busan Transportation Corporation, various bus associations, Busan Bank, Mybi, and a group of local university students dubbed the “Dongbaek Supporters.” This collective endeavor seeks to foster a city-wide culture of public transportation usage among residents.
At the heart of today’s campaign are three pivotal initiatives designed to revolutionize how Busanites commute. Firstly, the “Dongbaek Pass,” a prepaid card system, promises to make public transport more accessible, especially for individuals with poor credit history and foreigners. Secondly, a significant revamp of bus routes prioritizes commuter convenience, ensuring that the city’s public transportation network is more user-friendly. Lastly, the introduction of a Busan-tailored Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform aims to seamlessly integrate different modes of transportation, offering a unified commuter experience.
With these measures, Busan sets its sights on achieving a 50% public transportation modal share by 2025, signaling a substantial shift towards sustainable urban mobility. The “Dongbaek Pass” not only simplifies fare payment but also rewards frequent users, offering rebates beyond a monthly threshold of KRW 45,000. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to making public transport both affordable and appealing to a broader segment of the population.
Officials from Busan expressed optimism about the campaign’s potential to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions. “By enhancing the convenience and accessibility of public transportation, we aim to improve the quality of life for our citizens and ensure the sustainability of our urban environment,” stated a spokesperson for the city. Additionally, there are plans to expand the eligibility for the “Dongbaek Pass” to include teenagers and to introduce a tagless payment system, further simplifying the commuter experience.
