‘Come When Called’ Demand-Responsive Bus Runs in Sejong New Town

Community-type mobility shuttle service will operate in Sejong New Town starting from the 13th. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy (Sejong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A demand-responsive bus service, similar to a call taxi, will begin operating in the new urban area of Sejong City.

Sejong City announced on the 13th that after the 'Shuckle Introduction Ceremony' at Sejong Lake Park, Shuckle will officially start operation.

Shuckle (a portmanteau of Shuttle and Circle) is a community demand-responsive mobility service that guides users to the nearest virtual stop among about 300 designated stops in the 1st living zone (including Goun, Areum, Jongchon, Eojin, Dodam-dong, etc.) when they enter their destination and expected number of passengers into the Shuckle app, and dispatches vehicles in real time.

In particular, it has the advantage of reflecting real-time traffic conditions and finding the optimal route using artificial intelligence (AI), even when multiple people set destinations simultaneously.

Shuckle will officially start operation from 3 p.m. on the day and will undergo a pilot operation until August, after which the service area will expand to the 2nd living zone starting in September. The city plans to have Shuckle operating throughout the entire new urban area by March next year.

The Shuckle pilot operation project is being promoted in cooperation with Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai provides the AI platform necessary for Shuckle's operation, while Sejong Transportation Corporation manages the operation. During the pilot period, Shuckle will operate 12 vehicles on weekdays and 9 vehicles on weekends and holidays from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Before the pilot operation, about 900 people participated in a preliminary test run of Shuckle from the 4th to the 10th, and the city improved issues by reflecting the feedback from participants who rode Shuckle at that time.

The fare (fixed-rate pass) is set at 37,000 KRW for the basic plan, which allows one person to use the service up to 4 times a day, and 77,000 KRW per month for the plus plan, which allows two family members to use it up to 20 times a day. However, these fares reflect a discount rate applied during the initial three months.

Mayor Lee Chun-hee said, "Shuckle is a new concept future transportation mode operated according to user demands, and its compatibility with the existing transportation system (BRT) will serve as a foundation for Sejong to become a public transportation-centered city," adding, "The city will continue to build an advanced transportation system so that citizens can use public transportation more conveniently and safely."