'Ddokta' 2.7 Launches... Starting with 'Ddokbus' and 'Gongyu PM' Services
Enhancing Features like Public Transport Info Integration and Taxi Hailing by Year-End
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Residents in areas with infrequent bus service, such as newly developed towns in Gyeonggi Province or rural fishing villages, will soon be able to book and pay for transportation services through a single application.
By the end of this year, the service will also be linked with other public transportation modes such as taxis and subways, and the service coverage will expand to include cities and counties.
On the 7th, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Transportation Corporation announced, "We are launching 'Ddotta,' an integrated transportation platform that allows users to search and pay for on-demand buses (DRT) and shared personal mobility (PM) devices all at once, enabling rides at desired times and locations."
'Ddotta' can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and users can sign up by linking their Kakao or Google accounts and registering a payment card.
'Ddotta' was developed through a collaboration between the province, the corporation, and Hyundai Motor Company starting in 2021. Initially, the service will cover 10 on-demand buses (DRT) called 'Ddotbus' and approximately 13,000 shared personal mobility electric kickboards.
'Ddotbus' has been operating in Paju Unjeong since 2021. It is a ride-sharing service that dynamically adjusts pick-up points and routes based on real-time requests. Up to five passengers can book at once, and users can register transportation cards to receive public transit transfer discounts.
The province and corporation plan to provide 'Ddotbus' service to eight cities and counties starting with Paju by the first half of this year, and expand to other cities and counties in the second half.
The electric kickboards are serviced in 15 cities and counties including Suwon in partnership with one company, allowing boarding and payment through 'Ddotta' without downloading a separate external app. The plan is to expand partnerships to cover the entire Gyeonggi Province in the future.
In the second half of this year, preparations are underway to link 'Ddotta' with other public transportation modes such as buses and subways, starting with taxis.
Inchi Kwon, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Metropolitan Transportation Policy Division, said, "The establishment of the integrated transportation platform (Ddotta) and operation of Ddotbus are key projects and transportation pledges of the 8th Gyeonggi Province administration. By the end of this year, we will link public transportation information to realize transportation welfare that residents can truly feel."
Min Kyung-sun, President of Gyeonggi Transportation Corporation, stated, "We plan to gradually advance the platform to link various transportation modes to the Ddotta app. We will continue to develop the Ddotta platform to adapt to the changing transportation environment."
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