Seoul Jung-gu Establishes 20 Smart Shelters with Private Investment

Waiting for the bus is not boredom but excitement!

Jung-gu to establish 20 smart shelters within this year by adopting private company investment method

Providing safe and comfortable resting places for residents with transportation convenience facilities incorporating cutting-edge technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution

Maximizing budget savings as all operating costs including production and installation fees are borne by private companies

Can be used as a new channel for promoting district administration, serving as a communication and information provision role with residents

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul

Seoul Jung-gu (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) will install 20 smart shelters by the end of this year.

Smart shelters are transportation convenience facilities installed around bus stops that incorporate advanced technologies, providing residents with a safe and comfortable place to rest and a space to obtain useful information for daily life.

The Jung-gu type smart shelters integrate Internet of Things (IoT), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to offer ▲transportation information and ICT services (public transportation information and bus arrival information, public Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging) ▲a safe resting space for residents (fine dust and air purification, heating and cooling facilities, security systems, remote monitoring systems, etc.) ▲district administration promotion channels (broadcasting promotional videos of Jung-gu administrative services, public services, etc.).

Since July last year, the district has closely examined the operation status of smart shelters in other local governments. Installation costs are considerable, and ongoing maintenance and management personnel are continuously required, making management challenging.

The district resolved these issues through a private investment (BTO) method. The project operator produces and installs the facilities, donates them to the district, and then maintains them for five years while holding advertising operation rights.

Through this, the district maximizes budget savings and can efficiently manage the smart shelters. Additionally, 20% of the advertising is allocated to district administration promotion, making it a highly useful communication channel with residents.

The district announced recruitment in June, selected the project operator in July, and will begin installation construction in August. By November, 20 smart shelters will be available throughout Jung-gu.

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “Waiting for the bus at the Jung-gu type smart shelters will be ‘excitement’ rather than boredom,” and added, “We will continue to implement various policies to ensure residents’ daily lives are safe and comfortable.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.