Gyeongnam to Introduce Express Buses for 1-Hour Travel Between Key Hubs

Gyeongnam Province is set to launch a new express bus service, branded as the "Gyeongnam-style express bus," starting next year. The initiative aims to create a connected living area where residents can reach major hubs anywhere within the province in under an hour.

The provincial government announced on Tuesday that it will gradually introduce the service, which will connect key points across Gyeongnam, as well as link the province to Busan and Ulsan. To facilitate this, the province will begin discussions with transport operators on route selection and establish an expert committee to optimize routes in the latter half of this year, alongside budget allocation procedures.

Distinguishing itself from existing intercity bus services that connect city terminals, the new express buses will link major points like train stations and airports. Terminals will primarily serve as depots for the express buses. To minimize travel time, these buses will make limited stops only at key locations in departure and arrival cities, unlike regular intercity buses that stop at multiple terminals en route.

The service will also be integrated with the "Gyeongnam Pass," offering discounts to public transport users. To expedite the introduction of the express bus system, Gyeongnam Province plans to leverage the existing licensed intercity bus framework. This necessitates a concurrent reorganization of intercity bus routes and systems within the province to avoid overlap with the new express bus routes.

Park Sung-joon, head of Gyeongnam Province's Transport and Construction Bureau, explained the rationale: "Currently, most intercity bus terminals are located in outlying areas, far from living centers, unlike when they were initially built. Building new large-scale terminals in living centers is practically difficult. The express bus will minimize actual travel time and distance by connecting key points."

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Currently, most intercity bus terminals are located in outlying areas, far from living centers, unlike when they were initially built. Building new large-scale terminals in living centers is practically difficult. The express bus will minimize actual travel time and distance by connecting key points.