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Launch of Paid Passenger Service for Autonomous Bus in Busan’s Osiria Area

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that starting today (the 9th), the Busan Autonomous Bus (BigAi Bus) currently operating in the Osiria autonomous vehicle pilot operation zone will transition to a paid passenger transport service.

This transition aims to establish a foundation for the full-scale commercialization of autonomous transportation based on the achievements of the free pilot operation.

In particular, by applying an actual fare system, it is expected to serve as an opportunity for autonomous transportation to become integrated into citizens’ everyday mobility.

The Busan Autonomous Bus currently operates two routes starting at 9:17 a.m. on weekdays, and from today (the 9th) these routes will operate as paid services.

Operating hours are from 9:17 a.m. (first bus) to 5:38 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday). Headways are flexibly scheduled between 20 and 50 minutes, taking into account train arrival times at Osiria Station and the travel convenience of tourists and residents.

The routes consist of two sections: Osiria Station–National Science Museum Busan (4.8 km) and Osiria Station–Gijang Coastal Road (4.6 km).

The operating fare is 1,550 KRW for adults using a transportation card, which is equivalent to the city bus fare.

Since September of last year, the city has continued free operations in the Osiria Tourism Complex area. As of February 13, cumulative ridership reached 6,835 passengers, and the service has maintained stable operations with zero safety accidents.

Based on accumulated driving data, the city is improving connectivity between vehicles and road infrastructure. In a user satisfaction survey, route suitability recorded 70.6 percent and intention to reuse recorded 65.9 percent, indicating positive evaluations.

Even after the transition to paid transport, the city will strictly comply with relevant laws and safety management manuals, while maintaining safety measures such as onboard safety personnel and insurance coverage.

A safety manager will be onboard every vehicle to prepare for unexpected situations, and risk factors will be prevented in advance through inspections before, during, and after operation as well as real-time monitoring.

Since being designated as an autonomous vehicle pilot operation zone in 2022, the Osiria Tourism Complex has gradually expanded its services.

Based on operational experience and the results of technology verification, the city plans to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous public transportation and gradually enhance services, including expanding operating hours and diversifying routes.

In addition, the Naeseong–Jungdong BRT section currently under pilot operation will also be converted to paid service in the second half of this year after operational data analysis, safety evaluation, technology suitability review, and deliberation by related committees.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The launch of paid passenger service for the Osiria autonomous bus marks an important turning point toward the practical commercialization stage of future mobility. We will build a safe autonomous public transportation system that citizens can use with confidence and continue improving services based on accumulated data to develop Busan into a leading city in future mobility.”