Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Megacity Metropolitan Transportation Facility Project, 1-Hour Living Zone Realized

Inclusion of Metropolitan Railway, Transfer Centers, and Other Metropolitan Transportation Facility Projects in the 4th Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Implementation Plan

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] With the inclusion of numerous projects such as the metropolitan railway and transfer facilities proposed by Gyeongnam Province in the '2nd Basic Plan for Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation and 4th Implementation Plan for Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation' announced on the 29th, the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Megacity joint living zone is now one step closer to realization.

Governor Kim Kyung-soo has identified spatial innovation as the first task for the creation of the Megacity.

In particular, connecting major cities in Bu-Ul-Gyeong within a one-hour living zone hinges on spatial compression through railway connections.

It is urgent to expand the metropolitan transportation network that allows easy movement by public transit, as this issue is analyzed to lead to the outflow of the youth population.

Governor Kim argued the logic of equity that just as the central government has established a dense metropolitan subway network in the Seoul metropolitan area, basic metropolitan railway networks in non-metropolitan areas should also be funded by national finances.

Through repeated consultations, the blueprint centered on metropolitan railways for the creation of the Megacity has been reflected in government policy.

First, the Busan (Nopo)~Yangsan (Ungsang)~Ulsan (KTX Station) line and the Bu-Ul-Gyeong circular line, Changwon~Gimhae (Jinyeong)~Yangsan (Mulgeum·Bukjeong)~Ulsan (KTX Station) line projects have been included as metropolitan railway projects in the 'Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan.'

Additionally, three transfer center construction projects for connection with other transportation modes have also been included.

Accordingly, the 'Masan Station Transfer Center,' Yangsan 'Bukjeong Station Transfer Center,' and 'Sasong Station Transfer Center' construction projects can now proceed.

The province stated that with the inclusion of metropolitan transportation expansion projects in the '4th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan,' the establishment of a metropolitan transportation network within a one-hour living zone will become possible.

It was explained that once the 'Bu-Ul-Gyeong Integrated Metropolitan Transfer Discount System' is implemented, a convenient public transportation transfer system similar to that of the Seoul metropolitan area can be established.

In addition, the 'Changwon Central Station Transfer Facility Improvement Project' is underway with the goal of completion within the year, and a public parking lot project for freight trucks is also planned.

The 'Basic Plan and Implementation Plan for Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation' is a statutory plan established by the government under the 'Special Act on Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Management.'

Since May 2019, over two years, the 'Basic Plan for Metropolitan Transportation' and 'Implementation Plan for Metropolitan Transportation' for metropolitan areas (Seoul metropolitan area, Busan·Ulsan area, Daegu area, Gwangju area, Daejeon area) have been developed and were disclosed through an online video public hearing on this day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.