🚨 Public Transit-Only Districts: Urban Transportation Innovation and Sustainable Mobility

Today Korean Social News | 2025.06.24

📌 Busan's Seomyeon Public Transit District Left Without Enforcement for Over 4 Years, Calls for Cancellation Growing

💬 The public transit-only district on Dongcheon Road in Busan's Seomyeon area has lost its function after being left without enforcement for over four years. Built in 2015 with 9.4 billion won, enforcement stopped after BRT construction on Jungang-daero in 2021, allowing private vehicles to travel freely. While residents and business owners demand the district be cancelled, Busan City remains cautious, citing concerns about pedestrian rights violations. This controversy over the effectiveness of public transit-only districts is spreading nationwide, highlighting the need for system improvements.

Summary

• Public transit-only districts are areas designated for buses, subways, and other public transportation only.
• They restrict private vehicle access to improve public transit efficiency and reduce urban traffic congestion.
• Successful operation requires consistent enforcement, citizen cooperation, and alternative transportation options.

1️⃣ Definition

Public transit-only districts are road sections or areas designated for buses, subways, and other public transportation only. Private cars, trucks, and taxis are restricted from using these areas, with exceptions only for emergency vehicles or special-purpose vehicles.

This transportation policy aims to improve public transit speed and reliability for user convenience, and ultimately reduce urban traffic congestion and improve the environment.

💡 Why is this important?

• Improves public transit speed and reliability, increasing user satisfaction.
• Reduces urban traffic congestion and air pollution to improve the environment.
• Reduces car dependency and builds sustainable transportation systems.
• Contributes to downtown business revitalization and pedestrian-centered urban environments.

2️⃣ Key Features and Operating Methods of Public Transit-Only Districts

📕 Designation Criteria and Procedures

• Strict criteria apply to designating public transit-only districts. Key criteria include:

  • Priority is given to areas with high public transit usage and serious traffic congestion.
  • Designation focuses on commercial or business areas with high foot traffic.
  • Areas with concentrated public transit routes and high transfer demand are preferred.
  • Sufficient detour routes for private vehicles must be available.
  • Local residents and business owners' opinions must be collected.

• The designation process follows systematic procedures. Key steps include:

  • Conducting traffic surveys and analyzing traffic volume.
  • Collecting opinions through resident briefings and public hearings.
  • Conducting traffic impact assessments and economic analyses.
  • Coordinating between relevant departments and agencies.
  • Final designation after city council review.
  • Implementation after sufficient publicity period.

📕 Operating Methods and Enforcement Systems

• Various operating methods are applied. Key operating methods include:

  • 24-hour complete traffic restriction is most common.
  • Flexible operation through time-based traffic restrictions.
  • Relaxed restrictions on weekends or holidays in some cases.
  • Partial permission for specific vehicles (taxis, trucks, etc.) in some areas.
  • Emergency vehicles and disabled person vehicles are always allowed.

• Effective enforcement systems are essential. Key enforcement methods include:

  • Unmanned enforcement through CCTV and license plate recognition systems.
  • On-site enforcement by traffic police or private enforcement officers.
  • Fines and point accumulation management for violations.
  • Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
  • Regular publicity and guidance activities to increase compliance rates.

Key Challenges in Operating Public Transit-Only Districts

1. Enforcement Consistency: Without consistent and continuous enforcement, the system can become ineffective
2. Conflicts with Merchants and Residents: Concerns about business decline and increased inconvenience due to restricted access
3. Alternative Transportation: Problems with insufficient alternative infrastructure like detour routes or parking facilities
4. Exception Vehicle Management: Scope and management of exception vehicles like emergency vehicles and taxis
5. Effect Measurement: Need for accurate evaluation of traffic improvement effects and side effects

3️⃣ Domestic and International Operating Cases and Effects

✅ Major Domestic Operating Cases

• Seoul's public transit-only districts are representative examples. Key cases include:

  • Public transit-only districts operate in Jung-gu's Euljiro and Jongno areas.
  • Time-based restrictions are implemented on parts of Teheran-ro in Gangnam.
  • Operated in connection with central bus lanes since the introduction of bus semi-public operation in 2004.
  • While violations were high initially, compliance rates gradually improved as the system settled.
  • Public transit travel time was reduced by over 30%.

• Other cities like Busan and Daegu also actively adopted the system. Key status:

  • Busan's Seomyeon Dongcheon Road was built in 2015 but enforcement is currently suspended.
  • Some downtown areas in Daegu operate relatively successfully.
  • Gwangju and Daejeon also operate districts linked with BRT.
  • Operating results vary by region, requiring continuous improvement.

✅ International Success Cases and Implications

• Major European cities play leading roles. Key cases include:

  • Munich's old town operates as an area accessible only to public transit and pedestrians.
  • Amsterdam is expanding eco-friendly transportation zones allowing only electric cars and public transit.
  • London actively promotes public transit use in connection with congestion charging.
  • Paris implements policies restricting old vehicle entry into downtown during certain hours.

• South American BRT systems are gaining attention. Key features include:

  • Curitiba, Brazil's BRT is a model of integrated operation of dedicated lanes and districts.
  • Bogotá, Colombia's TransMilenio is evaluated as a successful model of public transit-only districts.
  • BRT dedicated lanes completely separated by median strips are distinguished from regular roads.
  • Subway-level capacity is secured through high platforms and articulated buses.
  • Operating costs are one-tenth that of subways, making them highly economical.

4️⃣ Related Terms

🔎 BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)

• BRT is a high-capacity, high-speed transportation system using buses.
• BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) is a public transportation system that provides fast and accurate transportation services similar to subways using buses. It provides much improved service compared to regular buses through dedicated lanes, premium stations, and articulated buses.
• Key features of BRT include: first, operating on dedicated lanes completely separated by median strips. Second, installing premium stations similar to subway stations to reduce boarding and alighting time. Third, using high-capacity vehicles like articulated buses or double-decker buses. Fourth, introducing prepaid fare systems and rapid boarding and alighting systems. Fifth, applying real-time information provision and traffic signal priority control.
• BRT can be built at one-tenth the cost of subway construction, making it highly economical, and has the advantage of utilizing existing road infrastructure. It operates in over 200 cities worldwide, and in Korea, it operates successfully in Seoul, Daejeon, and Changwon.

🔎 Central Bus Lanes

• Central bus lanes are bus-only lanes installed in the center of roads.
• Central bus lanes are dedicated lanes for buses only, physically separated and installed in the central part of roads. Regular cars cannot use these lanes, and they are facilities to improve bus travel speed and reliability.
• Advantages of central bus lanes include: first, buses can operate quickly without interference from regular vehicles. Second, bidirectional operation is possible, improving route efficiency. Third, stations installed in the center make transfers convenient. Fourth, they are not affected by roadside illegal parking or taxi stops.
• However, disadvantages include difficulty in installation if road width is insufficient, and conflicts with regular vehicles making left turns. Also, construction costs are high and existing road systems must be significantly changed. In Korea, they operate successfully in Seoul's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and are gradually expanding to other cities.

🔎 Transportation Demand Management

• Transportation demand management is policy to reduce and efficiently distribute traffic volume.
• Transportation demand management is a policy approach that controls and manages transportation demand to use existing transportation systems efficiently, instead of building new roads or transportation facilities. It reduces traffic volume itself or distributes it temporally and spatially to alleviate traffic congestion.
• Main methods of transportation demand management include: first, economic measures like congestion tolls or parking fee increases. Second, direct regulations like vehicle alternating systems or odd-even systems. Third, supporting alternative means like public transit fare discounts or service improvements. Fourth, inducing changes in travel patterns like telecommuting or flexible work systems. Fifth, voluntary participation programs like carpooling or vehicle rotation systems.
• Transportation demand management can bring various effects including air environment improvement, energy saving, and transportation cost reduction. Public transit-only districts are also a method of transportation demand management, serving as policy tools to suppress private car use and encourage public transit use.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can't taxis or trucks travel in public transit-only districts either?

A: Traffic restrictions in public transit-only districts are applied differently by region. Generally, private cars and trucks are completely prohibited, but different standards apply to taxis depending on the region. In Seoul, regular taxis are also restricted, but some areas allow taxis carrying passengers to travel. For trucks, exceptions are sometimes recognized for early morning hours or specific work vehicles. Emergency vehicles (fire trucks, ambulances, police cars), disabled person vehicles, and official vehicles are allowed in most areas. Also, separate travel permits are sometimes issued to local residents or business operators for limited travel. Therefore, it's important to check the specific operating rules of the area, and fines may be imposed for unauthorized travel, so caution is needed.

Q: What impact do public transit-only districts have on commercial areas?

A: The impact of public transit-only districts on commercial areas is complex, with negative effects often appearing in the short term and positive effects in the long term. In the short term, there may be resistance from merchants worried about customer decreases due to restricted car access. Businesses that require large purchases or parking may experience sales decreases. Also, restrictions on delivery or freight transport can increase operating costs. However, in the long term, increased public transit users can increase foot traffic, and improved walking environments can make shopping more pleasant, revitalizing commercial areas. Looking at overseas cases, commercial areas in Munich, Germany and Amsterdam, Netherlands actually became more active after introducing public transit-only districts. For successful operation, sufficient prior consultation, merchant support programs, and securing alternative parking facilities are necessary, and customized policies suited to regional characteristics are important.