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Support for Garak Tollgate Toll Fees, a Long-awaited Local Wish Cleared After 32 Years
Busan City plans to support toll fees for the second southern expressway Garak Tollgate and the western Busan IC segment starting from June 2026. This system will apply to all vehicles registered in Busan during weekday commuting hours, providing a refund for round-trip tolls once per day.
This decision reflects the wishes of local residents since the mid-1990s, with an expected annual average of 4.44 million vehicles and around 18,000 vehicles benefiting each day. This measure is expected to alleviate the transportation cost burden on local residents.
Eligibility and Active Hours
Support will be provided for all vehicles registered in Busan, specifically targeting Hi-pass vehicles.
The designated morning commuting time is from 6 AM to 9 AM, and the evening commuting time is from 5 PM to 8 PM. Each vehicle can receive support for only one round trip per day.
The toll fee will be reduced thanks to South Korea’s road corporation’s discount benefits combined with Busan City's support fund, effectively removing the toll burden during peak commuting hours. Notably, large vehicles of the 4th and 5th types, which previously received no discounts, will now enjoy full support, providing even greater benefits.
Refund Application Process and Limitations
The toll support system operates on a basis where users must actively apply for refunds rather than automatic reimbursement.
Users must first sign up for the toll support system and register their Hi-pass card information. Then, they must download their driving information from the South Korean Road Corporation's website. After uploading this file to Busan City's toll refund system, refunds will be issued following a verification process.
This procedure ensures administrative transparency, but it can be cumbersome for users, especially elderly drivers or busy professionals who are not adept with digital tools, raising questions about the effectiveness of the system.
Expected Effects and Local Ripple Effect
Busan City anticipates several positive outcomes from this policy.
First, the dispersal of traffic on National Route 2 is expected to alleviate congestion, thereby reducing logistics costs for industrial complexes, enhancing corporate competitiveness. Moreover, it is anticipated to stimulate the increase of throughput at Busan New Port and facilitate balanced development between eastern and western Busan.
Lastly, this policy is expected to contribute to creating a safe and pleasant commuting environment by improving traffic efficiency.
Conclusion
The Garak Tollgate toll fee support policy reflects the long-standing demands of citizens and industry. However, the complex application process, which is not an automatic refund system, may reduce the effectiveness of this program.
After its implementation in June 2026, it will be essential to analyze the actual usage rates and satisfaction levels in detail to establish a more straightforward refund system or consider completely eliminating the Garak Tollgate. Currently, the road entering and exiting Busan at the Garak IC is already separated. In such a situation, eliminating tolls altogether may be more reasonable than complicating the refund process.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will the Garak Tollgate toll fee support system be implemented?
Busan City will implement the Garak Tollgate toll fee support system starting June 2026.
Busan City plans to implement the toll fee support policy for the Garak Tollgate and the western Busan IC section from June 2026. This system will provide refunds for one round-trip toll during commuting hours for Hi-pass vehicles registered in Busan, reflecting the long-standing wishes of local residents after 32 years.
Q. What vehicles are eligible and when is the toll fee support applicable?
Only Hi-pass vehicles registered in Busan will receive support once a day during commuting hours.
The eligible vehicles are all Hi-pass vehicles registered in Busan, with the morning commuting hours from 6 AM to 9 AM and the evening commuting hours from 5 PM to 8 PM. Each vehicle can receive toll fee support for only one round trip per day, combining the South Korean Road Corporation’s discount benefits and Busan City’s support to effectively eliminate the toll burden during commuting hours. Notably, large vehicles in types 4 and 5 will receive a 100% discount benefit.
Q. How do I apply for a toll fee refund?
Users need to sign up for membership and register their Hi-pass card, then get driving information from the South Korean Road Corporation to upload.
Refunds are not processed automatically; users need to apply manually. They must first sign up for the toll fee support system and register their Hi-pass card information. Then, they must download their driving information from the South Korean Road Corporation's website and upload it to Busan City's support system to receive their refund. While this process ensures administrative transparency, it may be cumbersome for users unfamiliar with digital tools.
Q. What are the expected effects of this toll fee support policy?
Traffic congestion relief, reduced logistics costs, and balanced development in Busan are expected.
Busan City expects that this initiative will help disperse traffic on National Route 2 and alleviate congestion. This will reduce logistics costs for industrial complexes, enhancing corporate competitiveness, and is expected to promote throughput increases at Busan New Port and balanced development between eastern and western Busan. Additionally, the policy aims to improve traffic efficiency, contributing to a safe and pleasant commuting environment.
Q. What are the limitations of the Garak Tollgate toll fee support policy?
The complex refund application process may lead to inconvenience and reduce effectiveness.
The non-automatic nature of the refund process requiring users to actively apply may cause significant inconvenience for elderly users or busy professionals not adept with digital tools. This could lead to concerns about decreased usage rates and satisfaction with the program. There have been suggestions for simpler refund systems or the outright elimination of the Garak Tollgate.