Nation's First 'Metropolitan Autonomous Bus' Runs Between Sejong and Daejeon

The nation’s first ‘metropolitan autonomous driving bus’ will operate between Sejong and Daejeon through route expansion.

Sejong City and Chungbuk Province announced that starting from the 6th, the dedicated metropolitan autonomous driving bus route on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line will be extended from Osong Station to Sejong Express Intercity Bus Terminal (22.4 km) to Osong Station to Banseok Station (32.2 km).

Chungcheong Region Wide-area Autonomous Bus. Provided by Sejong City

The metropolitan autonomous driving bus began operation on December 27 last year as part of the ‘Chungcheong Autonomous Driving Mobility Commercialization Zone Project,’ selected in 2021 by the National Balanced Development Committee as a super-regional cooperation project. This is the first case nationwide of a metropolitan public transportation system using autonomous vehicles.

The autonomous driving bus deployed on the Osong Station to Banseok Station route is equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving technology, allowing driver intervention in emergencies. Sejong City staffs the bus with a driver and safety personnel to respond to any emergency situations.

The metropolitan autonomous driving bus can travel at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Operations are conducted with one bus each from A2 (Sejong) and A3 (Chungbuk), running two round trips on weekdays (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM / one-way trip takes 1 hour).

Provided by Sejong City

The stops available for this bus have increased from the original eight?Osong Station, Haemildong, Dodamdong, Government Complex North, Government Complex South, Saeromdong·Naseongdong, Sejong Terminal underground, and Sejong Terminal ground?to ten, with Hansol-dong and Banseok Station added.

The fare ranges from 1,400 to 2,000 KRW, and payment is only possible via transportation card, the same as regular trunk buses.

Sejong City plans to use the expansion of the metropolitan autonomous driving bus route between Osong Station and Banseok Station as a stepping stone to commercialize autonomous driving buses throughout the Chungcheong region, including Cheongju Airport, Jochiwon, and Gongju, after 2024.

Mayor Choi Min-ho of Sejong City said, “We expect the route expansion of the metropolitan autonomous driving bus to lay the foundation for Sejong to establish itself as a ‘specialized autonomous driving city’ in the future.”