Busan, South Korea’s bustling port city, has just taken a significant leap forward in public transportation policy. As of April 1, 2026, residents and visitors can now enjoy unlimited rides on city buses and subways for a flat monthly fee of 45,000 KRW, thanks to a streamlined integration between the city’s Dongbaek Pass and the national K-Pass program. This move, announced by Busan city officials and widely reported by Newspim, The Power, and WBCB, marks a new era of convenience and affordability for urban mobility in one of Korea’s largest cities.
The announcement comes on the heels of a rapid system overhaul. According to The Power, the city completed the technical linkage between the two cards within just one month of unveiling its improvement plan in March 2026. From the very first day of April, these changes went into effect, offering immediate benefits to Busan’s commuters.
So, how does it work? Users who register both the Dongbaek Pass and the government’s K-Pass (also known as the Everyone’s Card) are now eligible for automatic refunds based on their usage. This means the more they ride, the more they save, all without the need for manual claims or paperwork. Existing Dongbaek Pass holders don’t have to worry about new cards or registration headaches—they can keep using their current cards seamlessly under the new system, as confirmed by multiple reports including Newspim.
The Dongbaek Pass itself has a short but impactful history. Launched in August 2023 as the first program of its kind in Korea, it quickly established itself as a user-focused service. The results speak for themselves: Busan’s public transportation modal share—the percentage of trips made via public transit—has climbed from 42.2% in 2022 to 45% in 2025, according to city data cited by WBCB. That’s the highest level since the city’s quasi-public operation system was introduced back in 2007. Even more impressively, Busan has set modal share records for three consecutive years, from 2023 through 2025.
What’s driving this surge in public transport use? It’s not just the Dongbaek Pass. Busan has rolled out a suite of complementary policies to make getting around easier and greener. For instance, children now ride public transportation for free, a move that not only eases family budgets but also encourages lifelong transit habits. The city has introduced demand-responsive transportation services—known locally as ‘Tabara’—in districts like Gijang and Gangseo, providing flexible options for areas less served by fixed routes. Big data analytics have been harnessed to optimize bus and subway routes, ensuring that services match real-world travel patterns. Meanwhile, smart shelters and an expanding fleet of electric and hydrogen-powered buses have made waiting for and riding public transit more comfortable and eco-friendly.
The numbers tell a story of growing popularity. By the first quarter of 2026, Dongbaek Pass subscribers had reached 853,000—a jump of over 60,000 in just three months, according to The Power. The K-Pass linkage has seen similar growth, with subscribers nearly doubling from 111,000 in December 2024 to 219,000 by March 2026. Busan city officials have set an ambitious target: reaching 1 million Dongbaek Pass subscribers within the year.
Looking to the future, Busan isn’t resting on its laurels. The city plans to introduce a tagless, contactless payment system—think of it as the next step in frictionless commuting. This will allow riders to board buses and subways without even pulling out their cards, further reducing barriers to public transit. There’s also a push to develop integrated Mobility as a Service (MaaS), a cutting-edge approach that lets users search routes, make reservations, and pay for all their transportation needs through a single digital platform. As explained by WBCB, MaaS aims to bundle various mobility options—buses, subways, and even demand-responsive services—into one seamless experience, all managed from a smartphone.
Mayor Park Hyung-joon has been vocal about the city’s commitment to these upgrades. "Continuous upgrades to Dongbaek Pass and transportation policy improvements are raising the public transportation modal share," he stated, as reported by Newspim. In another comment, highlighted by The Power, Park pledged, "We will continue to expand policies that reduce transportation costs and improve convenience for users." The mayor’s remarks reflect a broader vision: making public transportation not just a necessity, but the preferred choice for Busan’s citizens.
It’s worth noting that Busan’s approach is catching attention beyond its city limits. The Dongbaek Pass was the first of its kind in Korea, and its success has provided a model for other municipalities considering similar fare integration and user-centered policies. The city’s ability to quickly implement a complex linkage between local and national fare systems demonstrates both technical agility and a strong commitment to public service.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Integrating two separate fare systems required rapid coordination between city and national agencies, as well as upgrades to payment infrastructure. But the one-month turnaround from policy announcement to full implementation shows what’s possible when local governments prioritize citizen needs and harness technology effectively.
Busan’s broader transportation strategy also addresses issues of equity and sustainability. By making rides free for children and expanding demand-responsive services, the city is ensuring that public transit works for families, commuters, and those in less densely populated areas alike. The emphasis on eco-friendly buses and smart infrastructure aligns with global trends toward greener, smarter cities.
For riders, the message is simple: public transportation in Busan is now more affordable, more convenient, and more user-friendly than ever. The city’s leadership hopes these changes will not only ease financial burdens but also encourage even more residents to choose buses and subways over private cars, reducing congestion and emissions in the process.
As the city eyes its next milestone—1 million Dongbaek Pass subscribers and the rollout of tagless, integrated mobility services—Busan is positioning itself as a leader in urban transportation innovation, blending technology, policy, and a clear focus on the needs of its citizens. For now, riders can hop aboard knowing that their city is working hard to keep them moving, efficiently and affordably, every day.