Paju-si, "To Locations Citizens Want"... Introduction of Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) Bus

DRT System Connecting Unjeong 1·2 Districts and Gyoha District... Linked with City Buses and Subway

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Paju City in Gyeonggi Province is introducing a 'Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)' system that moves in real-time to locations requested by citizens, following the implementation of the semi-public village bus system last year.

'DRT' is a public transportation service that creates and operates the optimal route in real-time when users select their departure and arrival points on an application.

On the 24th, Paju City announced, "We were finally selected in July for the 'Gyeonggi Province-type Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) Pilot Project' contest conducted for each city and county in Gyeonggi Province."

The city plans to establish a DRT system connecting Unjeong 1 and 2 districts and Gyoha district to enhance convenience for commuting, school travel, as well as trips to marts and hospitals.

Previously, the city submitted a business plan to Gyeonggi Province to operate DRT centered on Unjeong 3 district, where full-scale move-ins have begun.

Unjeong 3 district is an area with high public transportation demand from residents due to insufficient public transit during its early development phase.

In particular, Paju's DRT will operate differently from existing taxi-type DRTs by allowing transfers to other public transportation such as subways, city buses, and village buses.

Additionally, besides DRT in Unjeong 3 district, there are plans to establish new city bus and village bus routes connecting Daehwa Station and Unjeong 1 and 2 districts, with analyses underway on resident settlement status and demand surveys.

Choi Jong-hwan, Mayor of Paju City, said, "The DRT project is a business to strengthen accessibility within the region," adding, "Following the establishment of new wide-area buses and the first semi-public village bus system, we will improve public transportation issues with new and diverse policies."