BUSAN -- As international tourism continues to surge in South Korea's vibrant coastal metropolis, the Busan Metropolitan Government and the Korea Smart Payment Promotion Agency (KSPPA) have announced a major upgrade to the city's public transit infrastructure. Starting September 21, 2026, foreign visitors will be able to pay their city bus fares directly using ZeroPay QR code mobile payment services. This strategic initiative aims to eliminate traditional travel hurdles, allowing global travelers to navigate and explore the city seamlessly without needing physical transit cards or currency exchanges.

Recent tourism statistics highlight the urgent need for such frictionless digital solutions. During the first half of the year, Busan welcomed approximately 2.42 million foreign tourists, marking a significant 44 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Furthermore, the city achieved a historic milestone last June, recording 480,000 foreign visitors in a single month—the highest monthly figure on record. With a booming tourism sector and a growing "foreign tourist four-million era," local authorities recognized that upgrading public transit convenience is paramount to maintaining a world-class tourism destination image.

Under the newly launched system, foreign passengers can board any of Busan's 2,520 city buses and simply scan the onboard ZeroPay QR code using their familiar, home-country payment applications. Because ZeroPay is globally linked with 76 mobile payment applications across 24 countries—including major platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay—visitors are no longer required to purchase dedicated local transit passes or stand in long lines at currency exchange kiosks. This integration bridges the gap between public transportation and everyday commerce, enabling tourists to use a single, familiar app for both transit mobility and retail spending across local commercial districts.

This rollout marks the second time ZeroPay's international mobile payment system has been integrated into a major regional municipal bus network, following its successful implementation on Jeju Island in August 2024. The Jeju project has served as a powerful proof of concept, currently processing an average of approximately 41,000 foreign transactions per month, with cumulative transactions reaching 761,000. Building on this proven framework, KSPPA has closely collaborated with key regional partners, including the Busan Tourism Organization, the Busan Economic Promotion Agency, and the Busan branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, to foster an inclusive, foreigner-friendly economic ecosystem.

KSPPA Chairman Kwon Dae-soo emphasized the significance of the expansion, stating that because international visitors frequently travel across diverse tourist attractions and neighborhood commercial areas, establishing a convenient payment environment during transit is critical. He noted that the organization remains fully committed to ensuring that travelers can enjoy their journeys effortlessly while actively boosting local small business economies throughout the city. Moving forward, KSPPA plans to expand its ZeroPay international transit infrastructure to additional regions across South Korea, ultimately unifying transportation, tourism, and mobile finance into a single cohesive experience for global travelers.

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