According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the environmentally friendly vehicle operates on a 56-km route twice a day after the southeastern city signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai and the local operator of the bus.

Korea's first regularly scheduled hydrogen-powered bus began carrying passengers in Ulsan on Monday.

Under the MOU, the number of vehicles and charging stations in the area will be gradually expanded.

The ministry aims to have 30 hydrogen-fueled buses running on regular routes in major cities on a pilot basis next year.