Autonomous buses to fill public transport gaps in South Korea's Dongtan new cities

Autonomous buses are set to launch in South Korea's Dongtan new cities, aiming to address public transportation shortages. The cities of Dongtan 1 and Dongtan 2 have been designated as a "Gyeonggi Hwaseong Dongtan Autonomous Driving Vehicle Pilot Zone" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This initiative seeks to enhance mobility and establish autonomous public transport services, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when traditional options are scarce, and in areas underserved by existing routes. The program will deploy four autonomous buses across three distinct routes.

These routes include a 7.7-kilometer loop in Dongtan 1, starting and ending at Dongtan Station, passing through areas like Yemiji, Hallim University Hospital, Central Park, Dongtan International High School, and E-Mart. In Dongtan 2, a 11.3-kilometer daytime route will circle from Dongtan Station, covering Dongtan Techno Valley, Cheonggye Interchange, Sinri IC Interchange, Dongtan Lake Park North Interchange, and E-Mart.