Daejeon City Introduces '2-Story Electric Low-Floor Bus'... Deployed on Daejeon Station~Osong Station BRT Line

Image of a 2nd-floor low-floor electric bus. Provided by Daejeon City.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Daejeon City will introduce double-decker electric low-floor buses in the second half of this year.

According to the city on the 3rd, the double-decker electric low-floor buses will be deployed on the BRT B1 route (Daejeon Station~Sejong Station) starting this October, expected to improve mobility convenience for transportation-vulnerable people using wheelchairs and alleviate passenger inconvenience caused by full capacity during rush hours.

Currently, the BRT B1 route, which includes some sections designated as motor vehicle-only roads, mandates safety devices such as seat belts and lane departure warning systems, making it impossible to operate general low-floor buses (with 24 seats) used by transportation-vulnerable groups including the disabled.

In this situation, disability organizations have continuously requested the introduction of low-floor buses on the B1 route.

Accordingly, the city reviewed measures such as lifting the motor vehicle-only road designation and introducing high-speed buses equipped for wheelchair boarding, ultimately deciding to introduce two double-decker electric low-floor buses.

The double-decker electric low-floor buses have been operating 27 units in the metropolitan area since last year and can accommodate up to two wheelchairs. Additionally, with 71 seats, which is 30 more than the existing vehicles' 41 seats, the city expects to partially resolve the issue of passengers unable to board buses while waiting at stops due to full capacity during rush hours.

Meanwhile, the price per double-decker electric low-floor bus is 800 million KRW, with 200 million KRW borne by the operating company and 600 million KRW supported through national or city subsidies.

The city is currently negotiating with relevant ministries to secure national funding and plans to use the already secured budget for the city’s share.

Han Seon-hee, Director of the Transportation and Construction Bureau of the city, stated, “We plan to introduce the double-decker electric low-floor buses on the B1 route in October to enhance mobility convenience for transportation-vulnerable people using wheelchairs,” adding, “We will work to resolve preliminary issues so that the double-decker electric low-floor buses can operate normally as planned.”