After years legal and logistical setbacks, Busan’s long-anticipated amphibious bus project has finally taken its first step toward becoming a reality.
At 11 a.m. on July 29, the first test run of the amphibious bus was successfully conducted at the Suyeong Bay Yacht Racecourse.
The vehicle completed a seamless transition from land to water, traveling through the inner harbor for approximately 20 minutes before returning to shore.
The city of Busan and Ivy Marine Tourism, the designated private operator, plan to officially launch the amphibious bus service in March of next year.
The full route will span 21 kilometers, 17 kilometers on land and 4 kilometers on water. Departing from Centum Marina Park, the water segment will cruise along the Suyeong River, followed by a land route that includes Gwangandaegyo Bridge, Gwangalli Beach Road, and Suyeong Riverside Road.
A total of five buses are planned: four for regular operation and one as a reserve.
Each bus is diesel-powered and can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h on land and 10 knots (about 18.5 km/h) on water.
The first completed vehicle passed a watertightness inspection on July 25 and marine system testing, with a passenger capacity of 27. Roughly 5 billion won was invested in the first bus, and future units are expected to cost around 1.8 to 1.9 billion won each.
The project will include the construction of a slipway at APEC Naru Park, adjacent to Centum Marina Park, to allow the buses to enter and exit the water. Ivy Marine Tourism will also build 108 parking spaces at the site.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September and take approximately four months, with the company covering the 8 billion won construction cost. Ivy Marine Tourism will also retain operating rights to the parking lot and facilities for a six-year period.
A trial run for residents and tourists is expected by December 2025, ahead of the official launch in March 2026.
