Table of Contents
- The significance of passing the preliminary feasibility study is great, but… a long journey until construction begins, and high expectations may be misplaced
- Line Overview – Nopo~Yangsan Wungsang~Ulsan KTX Station, connecting 47.6 km
- Urban expansion and linked development… expectations for the Jeonggwan Line and northern Busan development
- Equity issues between regions… the area north of Nopo-dong remains ‘transportation deprived’
- Conclusion – Passing the preliminary feasibility study is just the beginning, realization is up to the local governments
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The significance of passing the preliminary feasibility study is great, but… a long journey until construction begins, and high expectations may be misplaced
The metropolitan railway project connecting Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan completed its preliminary feasibility study by passing the deliberation of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Financial Project Evaluation Committee on July 10, 2025. This brings the mega transportation network connecting the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region within one hour closer to reality.
However, considering the reality of railway projects, feasibility studies, basic planning, detailed design, and actual construction typically require over 5 to 10 years. Therefore, passing the preliminary feasibility study is just the beginning, and rather than expecting immediate operation, the speed of progress seems to depend on subsequent administrative actions, budget securing, and the willingness of each local government.
Line Overview – Nopo~Yangsan Wungsang~Ulsan KTX Station, connecting 47.6 km
This metropolitan railway project includes a total length of 47.6 km and 11 stations, with a project cost of approximately 2.5475 trillion won. It will establish an important transportation network starting from Nopo Station in Busan to Wungsang in Yangsan, Wungchon in Ulsan, Sinbok, and KTX Ulsan Station.
The vehicle type will adopt the AGT (Automated Guided Transit) light rail method. The operating time from Nopo to KTX Ulsan Station is expected to take about 45 minutes, with 35 runs scheduled per day.
This line will connect with Busan Metro Line 1 (Nopo), the planned Jeonggwan Line, the under-construction Yangsan Line, and the Ulsan Line 1 tram (under design). Particularly, at Nopo Station, transfers to the existing Busan Metro Line 1 and Yangsan Line will be possible. In addition, the connection to the Jeonggwan Line is expected to be a great help in resolving transportation issues for the residents of Jeonggwan-eup.
Although the AGT employs steel wheels built similarly to the Busan Gimhae Light Rail, there is a limitation as the entire section will be constructed as a single track. It may seem better to extend Busan's Metro Line 1 if only a single track is established.
The Wungsang and Wungchon areas are expected to be constructed along Wungsang Road.
Urban expansion and linked development… expectations for the Jeonggwan Line and northern Busan development
The newly opened metropolitan railway holds significance beyond just transportation. It has great potential to promote urban development. In particular, its effects are expected in two major directions.
The city of Busan plans to develop the area around Nopo Station into the center of a mega economic zone. This will involve adding stations and expanding transportation infrastructure. It is expected that these changes will significantly contribute to revitalizing the regional economy.
The construction project for the Jeonggwan Line is gaining momentum. Jeonggwan-eup in Gijang-gun is a major bedroom community in northeast Busan, previously known for its lack of transportation convenience.
However, with the new metropolitan railway connecting to Wolpyeong Station, it is expected that the accessibility and transfer efficiency for Jeonggwan residents to the city center will greatly improve. Positive news is arising from ongoing preliminary feasibility studies suggesting that the possibility of the Jeonggwan Line passing is increasing.
Equity issues between regions… the area north of Nopo-dong remains ‘transportation deprived’
The transportation infrastructure in the northern region of Nopo is currently very inadequate. To resolve this issue, urban planning must be carried out in conjunction with developing station areas to ensure the metropolitan railway can be effective.
The population in the Wungsang and Wungchon areas is only about 90,000, resulting in a B/C ratio of just 0.66 from the preliminary feasibility study. This indicates low economic viability. To overcome this, the local governments of Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan must cooperate quickly to establish urban development projects and station area revitalization plans tailored to this line.
Since transportation is a key element of urban development, it is essential that the metropolitan railway does not merely remain a simple line but instead becomes a central element of regional development strategy. This will enhance the quality of life for local residents and maximize economic benefits.
Conclusion – Passing the preliminary feasibility study is just the beginning, realization is up to the local governments
The metropolitan railway project connecting Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan has passed its preliminary feasibility study. This serves as an important first step towards constructing an extensive regional transportation network for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region. However, it is emphasized that the real beginning is now.
Establishing the basic plan, national funding discussions, environmental impact assessments, designing and compensation, and actual construction are expected to take at least 5 to 10 years.
For this project to proceed successfully, strengthening cooperation between local governments and considering linkage with urban development projects is essential. Otherwise, there is a risk that this line will become a "train passing through an empty field." Ultimately, the success of this railway project depends not only on mere operation but also on how well it connects future transportation and economic structures in the metropolitan area.
#BusanYangsanUlsanMetropolitanRailway, #MetropolitanRailwayPreliminaryFeasibilityPassed, #BusanUlsanOneHourLivingZone, #NopoStationDevelopment, #JeonggwanLineConstruction, #JeonggwanTransport, #WungsangTransport, #WungchonStation, #KTXUlsanStationConnection, #LightRailRouteMap, #SelfSufficientCityTransportNetwork, #UrbanRailwayConnection, #YangsanUrbanRailway, #UlsanTramLine1, #SoutheastRegionMetropolitanRailway, #BusanUrbanPlanning, #JeonggwanBedroomTown, #NopoJeonggwanConnection, #MetropolitanRailwayRouteMap, #GijangGoonTransportPlanning, #UlsanUrbanTransport, #YangsanUrbanExpansion, #AGTLightRail, #MegaEconomicZone, #RailroadPlanningReality, #MetropolitanTransportNetwork, #UrbanDevelopmentLinkage, #NationalRailNetworkPlan, #BasicLocalGovernmentCooperation, #BusanMetropolitanTransportNetwork
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What does the passing of the preliminary feasibility study for the Busan~Yangsan~Ulsan metropolitan railway mean?
Passing the preliminary feasibility study is an important milestone signaling the start of the project, but it will take a long time until construction and completion.
The metropolitan railway project connecting Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan has completed its preliminary feasibility study by passing the evaluation of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Financial Project Evaluation Committee. This is a significant achievement that brings the mega transportation network in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region one step closer, however, it is expected that actual construction and completion will take more than 5 to 10 years. Therefore, rather than expecting immediate operation or effects, preparation and efforts by local governments for project promotion must follow.
Q. How is the route and major stations of the Busan~Yangsan~Ulsan metropolitan railway structured?
It consists of a total of 47.6 km with 11 stations and connects from Nopo Station to KTX Ulsan Station.
This metropolitan railway is planned to cover about 47.6 km, starting from Busan Nopo Station, connecting to Yangsan Wungsang, Ulsan Wungchon, Sinbok, and ultimately KTX Ulsan Station with 11 stations. It is designed to facilitate transfers with Busan Metro Line 1, the Jeonggwan Line, the Yangsan Line, and the Ulsan Line 1 tram. Nopo Station is also a transfer station between the existing Busan Metro Line 1 and Yangsan Line, making it a hub of the metropolitan transportation network.
Q. What type of vehicles and operation methods will be introduced in the metropolitan railway?
AGT automated unmanned light rail system will be adopted, operating solo on single-track sections, taking about 45 minutes.
The vehicles will adopt the AGT (Automated Guided Transit) light rail method, planning for a total of 35 runs per day. The journey from Nopo to KTX Ulsan Station is expected to take about 45 minutes. However, most of the section will be constructed as a single track, which may limit operational efficiency, and discussions have compared this with extending Metro Line 1.
Q. What impact will this metropolitan railway project have on regional development and urban growth?
It is expected to facilitate urban development, positively affecting regional economic revitalization and transportation improvement.
The opening of the metropolitan railway holds great potential for enhancing transportation accessibility, contributing to the development of a mega economic zone around Busan Nopo, and improving transportation access through connection with the Jeonggwan Line. It is expected that transportation convenience in bedroom communities, including Jeonggwan-eup, will improve, enhancing the quality of life for residents, and cooperation between the local governments of Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan, along with urban development project linkages, will be keys to success.
Q. What expected challenges and issues are related to promoting the metropolitan railway project?
Long duration until construction, low economic viability, transportation imbalance for residents, and local government cooperation are major challenges.
It is estimated that the project will take 5 to 10 years before construction, and the low population in the Wungsang and Wungchon areas results in a low economic B/C ratio of 0.66. Additionally, the insufficient transportation infrastructure in the region north of Nopo poses equity issues. To address this, cooperation between local governments, along with station area development and urban planning linkages, is essential. It is important to not merely aim for operation but to promote it as a core of the regional development strategy.
