Busan tests sea taxi service linking major coastal attractions

Busan is testing a new sea taxi service that could offer residents and tourists a faster, more scenic way to travel between the southern port city's popular coastal destinations while avoiding road traffic. The Busan Metropolitan Government conducted two trial runs of its planned Busan Sea Taxi service on Wednesday, inviting 16 local journalists to experience a 45-minute route connecting the Suyeong River, Gwangalli and Haeundae beaches. Boats departed from APEC Naru Park at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., following a route divided into three 15-minute sections before returning to the river. The service is intended to serve both as an alternative mode of transportation and a tourism attraction, offering passengers views of Busan's coastline while connecting districts that frequently experience traffic congestion. Under the plan, at least six environmentally friendly vessels, each with a capacity of fewer than 50 passengers, will operate along the route, supported by three boarding facilities on the Suyeong River, at Gwangalli and in Haeundae. The city plans to invest 1.4 billion won ($960,000) in