Incheon's public transit network is set for a major expansion with new bus routes connecting Incheon International Airport and key urban hubs across the city.
The Incheon Metropolitan Government announced Monday it will add four new bus routes — two airport-linked seated bus lines with 18 buses and two urban express seated bus lines with 15 buses — for a combined fleet of 33 vehicles, aimed at improving airport access and easing travel between major residential areas.
The new routes are targeted to begin service in the second half of 2027.
Eighteen buses will be deployed on the two airport-linked routes to improve access to Incheon International Airport.
The northern route, served by eight buses, will run from Geomdan's Bullo and Ara-dong through Gyesan Station to Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport.
The southeastern route, with 10 buses, will connect Seochang-dong in Namdong-gu through Yonghyeon and Hagik-dong in Michuhol-gu to Terminal 2.
Alongside this, two urban express seated bus routes will be introduced to provide fast connections between rail stations and key transit hubs within the city.
The northern-to-southern route, with eight buses, will link Geomdan's Bullo and Ara-dong to Incheon Terminal via Seoknam Station, supporting travel across urban districts.
The Namdong-to-Bupyeong route, served by seven buses, will run from Nonhyeon-dong in Namdong-gu through Namdong Induspark Station to Sangok Station.
The city plans to finalize detailed route and fleet expansion plans by the second half of 2026, solicit transport operators in the first half of 2027, and launch full service in the second half of 2027.
With the additions, the number of bus routes serving Incheon International Airport will grow from 11 routes with 138 buses to 13 routes with 156 buses.
Earlier this year, the city launched Route 281 in January, connecting Gajeong-dong to Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport, to meet growing airport demand.
In July, it also added four buses to the express Route 91 operating between Songdo and Cheongna, expanding the fleet from six to 10.
"We will expand bus routes so that residents in key areas such as Geomdan and Namdong can travel to rail stations and major hubs more quickly and conveniently, while actively responding to the growing demand for airport travel," said Park Seong-sun, director of Incheon's transportation policy bureau.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
