Travel
Busan Amphibious Tour Bus Operation once again postponed to next year
haps Magazine Korea
August 8, 2024
(City of Busan)
The launch of Busan’s much-anticipated amphibious tour bus has been delayed yet again.
Initially slated for operation this year, the city has now postponed the launch to next year due to administrative and safety concerns.
The city of Busan announced plans to conduct a watertightness inspection on the amphibious tour buses by the Korea Maritime Safety Authority (KOMSA) this month.
This inspection, which checks for water leaks, has been ongoing since last year but has faced delays. The buses needed additional modifications, such as the installation of bulkheads to prevent water from flooding the vehicle. Following this inspection, a stability examination is required to issue a vessel operating license.
The bus route remains undecided as well. The construction of a ‘slipway’ (ship launch ramp) near the Gwangan Bridge tollgate has not commenced due to pending approval for a river occupancy permit from the Nakdong River Environment Basin Office. In the meantime, the city plans to use the Suyeong Bay Yacht Stadium as a temporary measure.
A patent dispute, which had delayed the project, has now been resolved. The city faced a lawsuit last year from a competitor accusing the chosen operator of patent infringement. This dispute pushed the original 2022 launch to last year. However, the city won the lawsuit, allowing the project to proceed with the company as the operator.
The amphibious tour bus is designed to travel on both land and water, running on four wheels on land and using a propeller in water. The planned route includes boarding at Centum Marina Park in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, and traveling through Suyeong River, Gwangan Bridge, Gwangalli Beach, and Shinsegae Department Store Centum City before returning to the pier. The total route covers 17 km on land and 4 km on water, with five vehicles (four commercial and one reserve) accommodating 35 passengers each.
The idea for amphibious tour buses in Busan dates back 30 years, initially proposed in 1992 to alleviate urban traffic congestion.
The project was halted during the IMF crisis but revived in 2005 to promote marine tourism.
It faced another setback in 2009 due to financial issues before being resumed in 2020 with a feasibility study and implementation plan.
Despite selecting an operator in 2021 and planning for a 2022 launch, the project has faced multiple delays, now targeting next year for its official debut.