ULSAN — Ulsan will begin a pilot program for cashless city buses on Oct. 31, covering 100 buses on 12 routes. The city said the move aims to cut about 340 million won ($250,000) a year in costs for maintaining and settling fare boxes, while preventing boarding delays and improving safety.
The program covers five Ulsan Station limousine routes and seven regular city bus routes. After a grace period running through Nov. 30, the city plans to remove cash fare boxes entirely. Riders without a transit card will not be denied boarding; they can board, receive a guidance card and pay the fare by bank transfer.
The city will gather feedback through December before expanding the program to all city bus routes from January to March next year, and to every route — including branch buses and village (maeul) buses — in April.