Busan is good

Busan City Enhances Boarding Conditions for Wheelchair Users on Low-Floor Buses

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it has completed the first half of its “Low-Floor Bus Boarding Experience and Field Survey,” conducted by a citizen task force including wheelchair users and public supporters, and will commence the second half to improve accessibility and boarding conditions for low-floor buses used by transportation-vulnerable groups.

On March 20, the city signed a partnership agreement with the Busan Social Welfare Community Chest, Busan City Bus Transportation Association, and the Busan Brain Disability Welfare Center to jointly promote the “2025 Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day (Bus-Best Friend Day)” project. The citizen task force is conducting experience-based field surveys of low-floor bus conditions as part of this initiative.

<Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day (Bus-Best Friend Day)>
A citywide campaign held every Tuesday to improve boarding conditions for wheelchair users and other transportation-vulnerable citizens, fostering a culture of social inclusion. This initiative, launched by Busan in 2024, was the first of its kind in Korea. It symbolizes a day of barrier-free travel by becoming "best friends with the bus."
2024: Held on the first Tuesday of every month → 2025: Expanded to every Tuesday

From April to June, the task force conducted 65 surveys by riding low-floor buses in the city. Over 100 additional surveys are scheduled for the second half of the year.

The task force consists of 26 members—wheelchair users and promotional supporters—organized in teams of four to board buses and raise awareness among drivers and passengers about transportation rights for people with disabilities.

The survey covers the following points:

• ●Whether low-floor bus operation is indicated on bus stop timetables

• ●The height of curbs and width of sidewalks in front of bus stops

• ●Time required for boarding with a wheelchair before departure

• ●Attitudes of drivers and fellow passengers

In parallel, the Busan Brain Disability Welfare Center provides awareness education and training on lift and safety belt operations for low-floor bus drivers, in response to the rising adoption rate of these buses.

As of June 2025, the proportion of low-floor buses in Busan’s city bus fleet is 64.7%. The city plans to continue expanding their implementation.

In the second half of the year, additional efforts will include:

• ●Field surveys on improving the environment of bus stops for better accessibility

• ●Special events promoting the use of low-floor buses

• ●Public service video campaigns aimed at fostering positive perceptions and awareness among citizens

Jung Tae-gi, Director General of Busan's Social Welfare Bureau, stated, “For wheelchair users, low-floor buses play a vital role in bridging service gaps left by call taxis and subways.” He added, “Through the operation of Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day, we aim to enhance mobility rights for transportation-vulnerable groups and spread the values of a ‘Warm and Inclusive Community, Safe Busan.’”

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[Attachment 1] Field Photos of the Boarding Experience and Survey (as of July 10)

• ●Assessing accessibility for wheelchair users at bus stops

• ●Low-floor bus driver securing wheelchair with safety belt

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[Attachment 2] Achievements from the First Half of Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day

1) Launch Ceremony of the Joint Partnership for the 2025 Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day

• ●Date/Time: March 20, 2025 (Thu), 10:00

• ●Venue: International Protocol Room, 7F, Busan City Hall

• ●Participants: 4 institutions (Busan City, Community Chest of Korea, Busan Bus Transport Association, Brain Disability Welfare Center)

• ●Purpose: Improve boarding conditions and foster positive social perceptions

2) Launch Event for Low-Floor Bus Boarding Day

• ●Date: March 22, 2025 (Sat), 14:00–17:00

• ●Venue: Auditorium, 1F, Brain Disability Welfare Center

• ●Participants: 26 citizen task force members

• ●Content: Program introduction, campaign training

3) Boarding Experience and Field Survey

• ●Period: April–June 2025 (65 sessions, 199 participants total)
  ▪ April: 31 sessions (94 participants)
  ▪ May: 22 sessions (68 participants)
  ▪ June: 12 sessions (37 participants)

• ●Venue: Onboard low-floor buses

• ●Activity: Direct boarding experiences and reporting

4) Campaign Events for Boarding Day

• ●Dates: April & June 2025

• ●Participants: 147 total (62 in April, 85 in June)

• ●Activity: Wheelchair users submitted self-photos via KakaoTalk; citizens submitted photos of accessible bus features

5) Focus Group Interview with Bus Drivers

• ●Date: April 22, 2025 (Tue), 09:30–11:30 & 15:30–17:30

• ●Venue: Program Room, 2F, Brain Disability Welfare Center

• ●Participants: 6 drivers (3 from Samjin Transport, 3 from Yonghwa Transport)

• ●Format: 12-question survey

6) Site Visit for Barrier-Free Bus Stops (Benchmarking)

• ●Date: April 29, 2025 (Tue), 07:00–20:00

• ●Venues: Gwangju City Hall, Gwangju Welfare Center for the Disabled

• ●Participants: 6 (including Busan City officials and a media crew)

• ●Purpose: Assess best practices in Gwangju

7) Special Broadcasts on TBN Busan Traffic Radio (94.9 MHz)

• ●Schedule: First Tuesday of each month at 09:30–09:40 (April–June)
  ▪ April 1: Launch of citizen task force
  ▪ May 6: Wheelchair user’s experience – Part 1
  ▪ June 3: Wheelchair user’s experience – Part 2

8) Task Force Training on Barrier-Free Bus Stop Improvements

• ●Date: May 31, 2025 (Sat), 13:00–18:00

• ●Venue: Auditorium, Brain Disability Welfare Center

• ●Participants: 21 task force members

• ●Topics: Findings from Gwangju, application strategies for Busan

9) Barrier-Free Bus Stop Survey (Field Research)

• ●Period: June 2025 (4 sessions)

• ●Locations: Bus stops in Geumgok-dong and Mora-dong

• ●Participants: 24 citizen task force members

• ●Content: Surveys and report writing on local accessibility conditions