Name: Busan-Gimhae Light Rail (BGL)
City: Busan, South Korea
Total Number of Stations: 21
Length: 15 miles
Operated by: Busan Urban Transit Authority

With 21 stations along its 15 miles of track, and the capacity to transport over 176,000 passengers per day, the $645 million dollar Busan-Gimhae Light Rail transit (BGL) is an impressive addition to South Korea’s list of rail lines. Opened to the public on September 9, 2011, the BGL carries passengers from Sasang station in Busan, eventually connecting to Gimhae International Airport, to its final destination, Samgye station.

The line runs entirely on viaduct, and the system operates with 46 aluminium-bodied Hyundai Rotem metro cars. The aluminium-bodied trains comprise two-car sets, each with a capacity for up to 300 passengers. Trains are fully automated, requiring no operator, and travel at speeds of up to 43 MPH.

Photo | Jens-Olaf Walter