Subway-like On-time Arrival 'Changwon BRT' Opens in 2023 ... Easy Access for Everyone

BRT Route Map Promoted by Changwon City

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, strongly pushed by Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon City, is expected to dramatically improve the cityscape and enhance the city's brand.

Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 7th that the BRT system, scheduled to open in the second half of 2023, will be designed to be easily accessible to everyone, including the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women.

BRT is a public transportation system that designates certain sections of major arterial roads as bus-only lanes, allowing express buses to receive priority signals. In 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport selected Changwon's BRT project as a pilot for the 'S (Super)-BRT,' aiming for subway-level punctuality.

Among the 18 km BRT project section (Yukho Square to Gaeumjeong Intersection), the first phase will implement S-BRT on a 9.3 km section of Wonidaero (Dokye Square to Gaeumjeong Intersection). The basic and detailed designs for phase one are underway, with construction planned to start in the second half of next year and opening targeted for the second half of 2023.

Changwon City will apply 'universal design' in the first phase to ensure that anyone can easily use the system. The city has established universal design standards so that transportation-vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women, as well as people regardless of gender, age, or nationality, can easily ride the BRT, and these standards will be reflected in the detailed design.

Following the BRT project, Changwon City will hold a citizen forum next month to discuss changes to the traffic system around Changwon Square and bicycle lanes, and in December, regional resident briefings will be held to disclose the overall project plan.

Kim Sang-woon, Director of Safety, Construction, and Transportation Bureau of Changwon City, said, “With the implementation of the city bus quasi-public operation system on September 1, the curtain has risen on changes to Changwon's public transportation system. After the complete overhaul of routes and the completion of the BRT, we expect to fully enjoy the era of safe and convenient public transportation.”

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