Seoul to unveil South Korea’s first self-driving shuttle in September
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The self-driving buses will be available on weekdays from 10am to 5pm local time.
PHOTO: SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
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SEOUL – The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Aug 24 that the country’s first self-driving shuttle is scheduled to begin operating at Cheonggyecheon, a stream and public space in central Seoul, as soon as late September.
According to the city government, two 11-seater shuttles will be in service, driving on a 4.8km circular route from Cheonggye Plaza – near Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line No. 5 – to Cheonggye 5-ga, a street near one of Seoul’s iconic tourist destinations, Gwangjang Market.
The self-driving buses will be available on weekdays from 10am to 5pm local time.
But they will not operate on weekends and public holidays, when Cheongyecheon roads are designated as car-free.
Though the Seoul Metropolitan Government has yet to announce a specific date, the self-driving shuttles will initially be free of charge. Once they become a paid service, passengers will board the shuttles like other city buses.
The self-driving bus, which has no driver’s seat or steering wheel, is equipped with U-shaped seats, a large screen displaying information and a wheelchair lift. A safety staff member will be on board but will not be involved in driving.
The city government explained that experts will conduct safety verification tests during the trial run, which started on Aug 22, ahead of official operations in September.
The city said the shuttles are an opportunity to experience the future of public transportation, adding that it hopes the self-driving buses will boost tourism around Cheonggyecheon and revitalise the local economy.
It said plans are in place to further enhance the technology, extending the service to nighttime operations and longer bus routes. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
