Pyeongtaek City and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Announce 'Special Metropolitan Transit Measures'

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Pyeongtaek City announced special metropolitan transit measures for the Goduk Internationalization District at the Metropolitan Transit Committee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on February 28, and presented specific implementation plans including the timing of execution.

Since the designation of the 'Special Metropolitan Transit Measures District' in October 2021, the city has held multiple consultations and meetings with related organizations. In particular, considering the inconvenient public transportation situation, the city prepared measures centered on public transit.

First, public transportation services will be expanded so that residents of the Goduk Internationalization District can conveniently travel to Seoul and nearby subway stations such as Gangnam Station and Yangje Station.

A new metropolitan bus route with 12 buses will be operated between the Goduk Internationalization District and Gangnam and Yangje stations, with 1 of the 12 buses being a two-story electric bus, significantly increasing metropolitan bus capacity.

Additionally, 15 demand-responsive transit (DRT) buses will be introduced within the Goduk Internationalization District. DRT is a non-fixed-route new transit system that operates by using artificial intelligence (AI) to create optimal routes in real-time when passengers reserve their departure and destination points through a smartphone app, enabling convenient movement between Seojeong-ri Station, Pyeongtaek Jeje Station, and within the Goduk Internationalization District.

City and village buses within the Goduk Internationalization District will also be newly established and increased. The existing Route 1452 operating within the district will have 4 additional buses; one new city bus route from the Goduk District to areas near Pyeongtaek Station; and two new village bus routes from the Goduk District to the Songtan area will be established to improve accessibility to external regions.

The city plans to install smart shelters equipped with heated seats and air purifiers at the 'Goduk Nature N Zest' bus stop, where major metropolitan and intercity buses serving the Goduk Internationalization District stop.

Mayor Jung Jang-seon stated, "We will make the Goduk Internationalization District develop into a new city with safe and convenient transportation through this special measure."