To promote the use of intercity buses by foreign passengers and raise their convenience, such travelers can make online reservations for tickets and use international credit cards for buying tickets. Shown is Cheongju Intercity Bus Terminal in Heungdeok-gu District of Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Hyelin

To boost the use of intercity buses and convenience of foreign passengers, the number of bus routes accepting online reservations will be raised and international credit cards will be accepted for purchase. 

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on July 15 said it will nearly double the number of such bus routes allowing online presale and allow payment by international credit cards on all routes.

From July 17, the number of such routes allowing online ticket reservation at starting and transfer stops will gradually rise from 1,500 to 2,749.   

In the early stage, however, a seat allocation system will be run on a pilot basis for each departure and stopover point based on data on past use. After three months, the quota will be adjusted or converted into a fully automated reservation system. 

From July 31, the ministry will also streamline services to allow on-site payment by foreign credit card for tickets at all 243 intercity bus terminals nationwide. Usable plastic like Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Union Pay will be accepted like for express buses and be further expanded.

For online reservations, international payment is available via two smartphone apps: Bustago, an integrated reservation system for intercity bus tickets usable both in and out of the country with the travel card EZL, and InterCity Bus, which is exclusively for foreign users through the T-money app.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr