'Dongdaemun A01' and 'Seodaemun A01' Routes Begin Service
'Dongjak A01', Launched in June, Achieves 90% Satisfaction
Autonomous Vehicles Deployed to Fill Public Transportation Gaps
The "autonomous village bus," which made its debut in Dongjak-gu, Seoul in June 2025, will now expand operations to Dongdaemun-gu and Seodaemun-gu. The "Dongjak A01" route has been evaluated as stable, with over 90% of passengers reporting high satisfaction.
On October 12, 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the autonomous village bus "Dongdaemun A01" (Janghanpyeong Station to Kyung Hee University Medical Center) will begin service on October 14, and "Seodaemun A01" (Gajwa Station to Seodaemun District Office) will start operating on October 15.
The "Dongdaemun A01" route is designed to balance the region’s medical, research, and daily life needs, passing through Cheongnyangni Station, Seoul Bio Hub, and Janghan 2-dong Community Center. Two autonomous buses will be deployed, stopping at 23 stations along a 15-kilometer round trip. The buses will operate six times a day, with one bus every 75 minutes (135 minutes during lunchtime). On weekdays, the first bus departs at 9:00 a.m., and the last bus leaves Janghanpyeong Station at 4:15 p.m.
The "Seodaemun A01" route, connecting Gajwa Station and Seodaemun District Office, will improve access to administrative and welfare facilities such as Seodaemun Culture and Sports Center, Seodaemun Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, Seodaemun District Office and Public Health Center, and Gajwa Station, while also providing convenient railway transfers. The bus will circulate through 10 stations on a 5.9-kilometer loop, operating 14 times a day with one bus every 30 minutes (80 minutes during lunchtime). On weekdays, the first bus departs at 9:20 a.m., and the last bus leaves Seodaemun Culture and Sports Center at 4:40 p.m.
From the start of operations, passengers can check real-time arrival information via the Bus Information Terminal (BIT), and route searches will be available on portals such as Naver and Daum. The service will be free until the planned transition to paid operations in the second half of next year, but passengers must still tap their transportation cards when boarding and alighting. For safe operation and monitoring, two staff members, including a safety officer, will always be on board each autonomous vehicle.
Since June 2025, the first autonomous village bus route in Seoul, "Dongjak A01," has connected Soongsil University and Chung-Ang University, supporting campus exchanges and local mobility, and has received high satisfaction from residents.
Meanwhile, in addition to the autonomous village buses, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to continue deploying autonomous vehicles in underserved areas and time slots, including late-night autonomous taxis, early-morning companion autonomous buses, and autonomous shuttles. Yeo Jangkwon, Director of Transportation for Seoul, stated, "Since its debut in June, the 'Dongjak A01' autonomous village bus has emerged as an alternative to address gaps in public transportation, thanks to its stable operation and high satisfaction. We will actively utilize advanced future transportation modes to establish a more convenient and comprehensive public transit system."
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