Route Number 'Late Night A21'... Hapjeong to Dongdaemun 9.8 km
Operates Weekdays 11:30 PM to 5:10 AM Next Day
Seoul City will begin the world's first regular operation of a late-night autonomous bus from 11:30 PM on the 4th.
According to Seoul City on the 3rd, the late-night autonomous bus will operate on the 9.8 km central bus-only lane section between Hapjeong Station and Dongdaemun Station, where there is high late-night travel demand due to the concentration of university areas and large shopping malls, from Monday to Friday between 11:30 PM and 5:10 AM the next day. The route number is 'Late-night A21.'
This bus consists of two large electric autonomous buses of the same size as regular city buses, departing from Hapjeong Station and Dongdaemun Station respectively at 11:30 PM and circulating at 70-minute intervals. Passengers can board and alight at 40 central stops (20 one-way) along the route Hapjeong Station~Hongdae Entrance Station~Sinchon Station~Ahyeon Station~Seodaemun Station~Sejongno (Bridge)~Jongno 1-ga~Jongno 5-ga~Dongdaemun Station (Heunginjimun), just like regular city buses.
Once the late-night autonomous bus starts operation, real-time arrival times will be provided on the bus information terminals (BIT) installed at the central stops. Additionally, real-time location and arrival time information can be accessed through portals such as Naver and Daum.
The late-night autonomous bus will be operated free of charge for the time being. The usage method is the same as regular city buses: passengers must tag their transportation cards when boarding. Although it is free, since transfer discounts are linked, it is essential to tag the transportation card when using the service.
The city plans to switch the late-night autonomous bus to a paid service by the first half of next year after a stabilization period. The fare will be determined through deliberation by the Seoul Autonomous Vehicle Operation Committee, and the city stated that it is planned to be set somewhat lower than the existing late-night bus base fare of 2,500 KRW.
Various safety measures have also been prepared, such as installing seat belts on all seats and prohibiting standing passengers. For the time being, two special safety personnel will be on board to assist passengers with boarding and alighting. In addition, cooperation with related agencies will be strengthened by establishing a late-night emergency contact system with nearby fire stations and police stations.
Next year, the operation section will be extended to Cheongnyangni Station (total 13.2 km). Based on the operation results, the goal is to establish a long-distance electric autonomous bus service that functions as a trunk line connecting the city center and suburban areas, beyond just urban circulation.
Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul City Urban Transportation Office, said, "With the regular operation of the late-night autonomous bus, the dream of a future mobility city based on autonomous driving has come closer to reality," and added, "We will spare no support to develop into the world's top-level autonomous driving city."
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