Korea’s Intercity Bus Network Shrinks as Regional Travel Options Narrow

South Korea’s shrinking intercity bus network is reducing travel options for people outside major rail corridors, as falling passenger numbers and financial pressure push operators to cut routes and threaten the future of local terminals.

The number of intercity and express bus routes nationwide fell 30.1 percent from 4,584 in 2015 to 3,203 last year. The network had more than 5,000 routes two decades ago. Passenger volume declined even more sharply over a longer period, dropping 58.2 percent from 283 million in 2005 to 118 million last year.

The contraction is visible at Seoul’s Nambu Bus Terminal, a major hub for services to regional destinations. Its operator has indicated that it wants to return its business license to the Seoul Metropolitan Government because of financial difficulties. The possible closure follows shutdowns at other regional terminals. Although travelers filled seats before the Chuseok holiday, nearly 20 shops at the terminal were vacant and only about five appeared to be operating. A driver who has worked there for more than a decade estimated that the number of routes had fallen by about half compared with the late 2010s.

For passengers, the loss of a direct service can turn a routine trip into a much longer journey. One traveler from Yongin who visits Ulsan several times a year now has to travel more than an hour to Seoul and try to secure a train ticket after the direct bus route ended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weekend trains can be sold out weeks in advance, leaving limited alternatives for hospital visits, work trips and family travel.

Rail and private cars have taken a larger share of passenger transport. Trains’ share rose from 15.5 percent in 2013 to 18.2 percent in 2023, while passenger cars increased from 54.7 percent to 60.2 percent. Those options, however, do not fully replace buses for travelers who cannot drive or live far from a rail station. The problem is especially acute in less-populated regions. Gangwon Province’s intercity routes fell from 413 in 2019 to 202 by June 2024.

Transport specialists and lawmakers are calling for stronger public support for essential links. Suggested measures include improving the essential-route system, expanding demand-responsive transportation and preserving multiple forms of bus service in underserved areas. Their central concern is that decisions based only on profitability could deepen isolation and accelerate depopulation in communities already struggling with fewer residents and limited infrastructure.