Hop on and take in the view
Bus No. 1011 rides along the coast, passing through Busan Harbor Bridge.
There's been a lot of buzz among the city's residents and press over the newly introduced bus No. 1011, which operates along the coastal road that links east and west sides of Busan, from Gijang-gun (county) to Gangseo-gu (district).
The bus begins its route at Cheonggang-ri, in Gijang-gun, to pass through Haeundae, over Gwangan Bridge, Busan Harbor Bridge, Yeongdo Namhang Bridge and the Eulsukdo Island Bridge to terminate at the Busan Jinhae Free Economic Zone Office.
Bus fare is wallet-friendly, too, at 1,800 won ($1.50) for a one-way ride.
Bus No. 1011 crosses most of the city's major bridges, running a total of 48 kilometers (30 miles) one way, and takes one and a half to two hours for the entire route.
While other buses typically cut through busy downtown areas, this new bus promises the exhilarating experience of traveling along a coastal road. Passengers can take in mesmerizing ocean views, the hustle and bustle of Busan Port, the picturesque Sanbokdoro (mountainside road) Village as well as Eulsukdo Island, home to migrating birds.
The bus was initially launched to help commuters, and the number of stops on bus No. 1011 is significantly less. Drop-offs are made approximately every 20 minutes during rush hour and every 30 to 40 minutes during other times.
The bus can only seat some 40 people, making rush hour a bit of a squeeze, but following a longer monitoring period, operations will be adjusted to meet demand.
"I think this might be a game-changer for Busan's buses," said one passenger. "It goes beyond typical public transport, and the route is attractive from an economic and tourism standpoint."
Copyright 2015, 'Dynamic Busan' all rights reserved.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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