Busan Unveils Next-Gen Express Railroad Project to Tackle Traffic and Support World Expo

The city of Busan, South Korea, has declared its commitment to the groundbreaking 'Next Generation Busan Express Railroad Project (BuTX).' This ambitious initiative is designed to combat severe traffic congestion in the city center, improve transportation access due to the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, and deliver essential infrastructure for the successful hosting of the 2030 Busan World Expo.

The Next Generation Busan Express Railroad is set to revolutionize urban transportation by introducing high-speed, low-carbon, eco-friendly hydrogen-powered railcars traveling underground. A pre-feasibility study conducted in December 2021 determined the project to be both feasible and cost-effective. Once completed, it will drastically reduce travel times, taking just 15 minutes from Gadeok New Airport to North Port and 26 minutes to Osiria.

This March, the city will kick off a commercialization strategy service based on the study's findings. This strategy encompasses creating a comprehensive development plan for the six stations, with the goal of enhancing residents' convenience and fostering regional development. The city will explore various business promotion avenues, such as financial or private development, to accelerate the project's progress.

Busan City officials plan to collaborate with the national government this year to minimize the financial burden of the next-generation express railroad project and devise an efficient and optimal promotion plan. With the Gadeokdo New Airport scheduled to open at the end of 2029, the BuTX construction project is set to begin related administrative procedures next year to ensure its timely completion for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

Furthermore, the city aims to extend the BuTX to the southeast region by connecting the Gadeokdo New Airport and the 2030 World Expo venue through the '2030 Busan Expo Southeast Region New Transportation System Efficiency Service,' which was launched last November. The city intends to propose feasible routes by the end of this year, so they can be incorporated into the national government's 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon emphasized that the next-generation Busan Express Rapid Transit (BuTX) would not only alleviate traffic woes in downtown Busan but also bolster Gadeokdo New Airport's standing as an international airport and serve as a crucial infrastructure for the successful hosting of the 2030 Busan World Expo. He added that the project, which brings hydrogen rail vehicle technology to Korea for the first time, would help transform Busan into an eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered high-tech city, and create a 15-minute living zone for residents.