Ulsan to restore bus route 126, revive four more discontinued lines

Ulsan is expanding its urban bus service as the city's ninth directly elected administration takes office.

Starting Tuesday, the city will restore bus route 126, which runs between Kkotbawi and Deokha via Yangjeong, Taehwagang Station, Gongeoptap and Yaeum. Six reserve vehicles — one from each bus operator — will be deployed, providing 24 trips a day at an average headway of 44 minutes.

In September, the city plans to add 15 new vehicles to restore routes 123 and 307, while expanding route 126 to eight buses and cutting its average headway to about 34 minutes.

In December, another 15 vehicles will be added to bring back routes 327 and 482. The city will also boost capacity on routes 118, 124, 452 and 713, which currently suffer from heavy crowding.

The city also plans to gather public input by district and operate a citizen-participation body to continuously review overall route operations, with the findings informing a comprehensive bus network overhaul slated for 2028.

Over the longer term, Ulsan is considering expanding bus depots, introducing dedicated bus lanes and a bus rapid transit system, growing its eco-friendly bus fleet, and exploring a possible shift to a publicly operated transit model — all aimed at building a sustainable public transportation network.

"The restoration of these routes and the addition of new vehicles mark another starting point for easing inconvenience and improving mobility for residents," a city official said. "We will continue to pursue tangible improvements that citizens can feel."