Dongjak-gu to Pilot Autonomous Bus Route from Soongsil University to Chung-Ang University Early Next Year

Seoul City Autonomous Bus Pilot Project Selected Through Public Competition

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak District (right in the photo), is test-driving the autonomous village bus after the autonomous village bus business agreement ceremony last January. Provided by Dongjak District.

Dongjak-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on the 11th that the operation of autonomous village buses is entering the final countdown after being selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's pilot project for autonomous buses for transportation-vulnerable groups.

According to the district, among the three autonomous districts selected for this pilot project, Dongjak-gu is expected to start operations the earliest, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's designation of the pilot operation zone scheduled for the end of this year.

Since January this year, the district has been promoting the introduction of autonomous village buses through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Soongsil University and other local government, industry, and academia partners. An early task force was formed to complete preparations such as ▲route selection ▲designation of bus stop signs and stopping areas ▲securing autonomous buses and charging facilities.

The route promoted by the district is a 3.2 km round trip section from the South Gate of Soongsil University to the Back Gate of Chung-Ang University, selected considering traffic flow congestion and other factors.

The autonomous bus has 8 seats and will operate on a pre-reserved seating system through a mobile reservation and boarding app. Considering traffic congestion and safety, it will operate five days a week from Monday to Friday.

The district plans to operate the service free of charge during the pilot operation period early next year, then switch to a paid service. It also plans to gradually expand autonomous driving services by extending the route length and discovering new routes.

Mayor Park Il-ha said, “We have made many efforts to build infrastructure and create an environment for future mobility services to introduce autonomous village buses. As this is the first project attempted nationwide in Dongjak-gu, we will make thorough preparations to serve as a benchmark.”