Korea's Bus Rapid Transit System

Photo Credit:MTA

According toKorea.net, Sejong City, Korea's new administrative capital, launched the country's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in mid September of this year. The new, locally-developed system connects the Osong KTX train station in Chungcheonbuk-do with Sejong City and Daejeon. It will give people a convenient alternative to driving personalcarsand is more cost effective than putting in a subway.

For those unfamiliar with BRT, it is a public transportation system that combines the concept of rail and bus. It improves on transportation services in terms of speed, punctuality and convenience. BRT is already in operation in 45 cities worldwide, including Boston, Nagoya and Bogota, with many more to adopt the system.

In addition to being fast, timely and comfortable, it's eco-friendly. Running 18-meters long, the bimodal tram (the big bus-like vehicle that is operated on the BRT network) is powered by a compressed natural gas hybrid propulsion system and can travel up to 80 km/hr. It has 29 seats and 93 passengers can be on board at one time.

The trams use advancedtechnologyfor the convenience of drivers and passengers; they're guided by a magnetic system in which sensors on the trams detect magnetic markers placed every two to three meters on the BRT road, allowing the tram to follow a pre-set route.

This is similar to the rails on a train and the dedicated BRT lanes are similar to subway tunnels. For this reason, BRT is sometimes referred to as an "aboveground subway". Construction first began in August 2008, developing a 31.2 kilometer network that would allow travel at express speeds in bus-only lanes both above and below ground.

According to the Metropolitan Transport Association (MTA), the construction costs of BRT compared to other public transportation systems are significantly lower, as seen in the chart below.

Photo Credit:MTA

Do you have a similar transportation system in your city or country? Let us know in the comments.

About the author by Donna Choi

Born and raised in the States, I came to Seoul in 2009 and have loved living and working in such a high-tech and connected city ever since. I enjoy collecting unique, cute gadgets/items (I have a bread-scented smartphone case!) and traveling around Korea. My personal mission while living in Korea: Try every type of Korean food known to exist.

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