Gwangju City Expands 'Ddokbus' to Dong Area and Introduces Eco-Friendly Low-Floor Buses for the First Time in Korea

Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on August 1 that starting from August 4, it will expand the demand-responsive transportation service 'Ddokbus' to the Dong area, which includes new residential districts such as Tanbeol and Jangji.

'Ddokbus' is a non-regular public transportation service (DRT) that operates upon request through the dedicated app 'Ddokta.' Previously, it was only available in rural areas and transportation-vulnerable eup and myeon regions. However, by being designated as a regulatory sandbox demonstration area under the Smart City Act, the city has overcome institutional restrictions and expanded the service to the Dong area.

Notably, this introduction marks the first time in the country that eco-friendly medium-sized low-floor buses are being deployed, actively guaranteeing mobility rights for transportation-vulnerable individuals and people with disabilities. Until now, DRT systems were not required to have wheelchair lifts, which limited access for transportation-vulnerable users. The city recognized this issue in advance and, after discussions with transportation companies, realized the introduction of low-floor buses.

The 'Ddokbus' service in the Dong area will be operated with seven 25-seater eco-friendly medium-sized buses, running from 6:00 a.m. to midnight (last call at 11:30 p.m.). From August 4 to August 10, the service will be free as a trial operation; after that, the fare will be 1,450 won, the same as city buses, and transfer discounts will also apply. Advance reservations through the dedicated 'Ddokta' app are required, and cash payments are not accepted.

Mayor Bang Sehwan stated, "With the introduction of low-floor Ddokbus, we have established a foundation for transportation-vulnerable individuals to travel safely and conveniently," adding, "We will continue to pursue the creation of a non-discriminatory transportation environment and implement region-specific public transportation policies."

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