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Busan (formerly transliterated as Pusan) is South Korea's second largest city and an important sea port on the southern tip of the peninsula.

Basic plans for the Busan subway were drawn in 1979 and construction started in 1981 on Line 1 a north-south route. It opened in four stages between 1985 and 1994. It now has a total length of 32.5 km with 34 stations. Construction of Line 2 began in 1991, the western 22 km stretch was put into service in 1999 (21 stations), the central section between Seomyeon and Geumnyeonsan opened on 8 August 2001. One year later it reached its eastern terminus at Jangsan. Construction of Line 3 started in November 1997 and was planned to open in 2002 to serve several venues used during the Asian Games. The largest part of this line was eventually brought into service in November 2005.

In Jan. 2008, the total length of the subway network was 95 km with 95 stations.

On Line 1 45 8-car trains and on Line 2 28 6-car trains are used.

Some stations offer park&ride facilities and some also have a bicycle parking space.

LINE 1 (32.5 km)

July 1985: Nopo-dong - Pomnaegol (16.2 km)
May 1987: Pomnaegol - Chungang-dong (5.4 km)
Feb 1990: Chungang-dong - Sodaeshin-dong (4.5 km)
June 1994: Sodaeshin-dong - Shinp'yong (6.4 km)

LINE 2 (44.5 km)

30 June 1999: Hopo - Seomyeon (21 km)
8 Aug 2001: Seomyeon - Geumnyeonsan (7.7 km)
16 Jan 2002: Geumnyeonsan - Gwangan (0.9 km)
29 Aug 2002: Gwangan - Jangsan (7.7 km)
10-Jan-2007: Hopo - Yangsan (7.2 km)

LINE 3

28 Nov 2005: Daejeo - Suyeong (18.1 km)

 Projects

Line 3: The entire line with two branches will be 29.5 km long. The eastern branch to Bansong is still under construction.

An automated light metro line to connect Busan to the neighbouring city of Gimhae, via Gimhae Airport, is under construction. This elevated line will be 24 km long and have 18 stations and it will be operated by 46 driverless cars. Construction started in 2006 for completion in 2010. Rolling stock will be delivered by Hyundai Rotem.

OPERATING HOURS

5:20 - 24:00, every 3-4 minutes during rush hours, every 5-6 minutes rest of the day.

A trip on Line 1 takes 62 minutes, on Line 2 (western section) 41 minutes.

FARES (2006)

1 section (up to 10 km) - 1100 won
2 sections (more than 10 km) - 1300 won

Hanaro Cards (cash cards) can be used on subway and buses and are available for 5,000 or 70,000 won.

Busan Urban Transit Authority (Pusan Subway) - Official Site

Busan Gimhae Light Rail Transit (Official Site)

Busan Subway at Wikipedia

Busan Subway at Johomaps

Busan Gimhae Light Rail at Wikipedia