The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that starting from the 16th, it will expand the operation area of the 'late-night autonomous driving taxi,' which has been piloted in some areas of Gangnam District since last September, to the entire Gangnam District.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 15th, the late-night autonomous driving taxi is currently operating in the areas of Yeoksam, Daechi, and Samsung-dong. The boarding areas have been expanded to Apgujeong, Sinsa, Nonhyeon, and Cheongdam-dong.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced the country's first autonomous taxi last September. The vehicle is a Korando Emotion and operates from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day. It can be used just like calling another taxi through the 'Kakao' app. During the pilot operation period, the usage fee is free.
This taxi autonomously drives on roads with 4 or more lanes, while in residential side roads and children's protection areas, a test driver onboard operates the vehicle manually. It has been operating without any accidents for 8 months.
The late-night autonomous driving taxi started its first operation on September 26 of last year and has been used 4,200 times over 8 months. This averages out to about 24 operations per day.
In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government operates a 'dawn companion autonomous driving bus' on a round trip of 50 km from Dobongsan Metropolitan Transfer Bus Center to Yeongdeungpo Station starting around 3:30 a.m. Approximately 10,000 people have used it within 6 months of operation. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to add three additional routes this second half of the year: Sangyeok to Express Bus Terminal, Geumcheon (Gasan) to Seoul Station, and Eunpyeong to Yangjae Station.
In transportation-disadvantaged areas, a 'local companion autonomous driving bus' will be deployed. Starting from the Soongsil University to Chungang University route in Dongjak District, it will be introduced in the second half of the year to routes from Janghanpyeong Station in Dongdaemun District to Kyung Hee Medical Center, and from Gajwa Station to Seodaemun District Office.