Demand-Responsive 'Ddogg Bus' Begins Service in Ipbuk and Dangsudong Areas of Suwon

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The 'Ddogg Bus,' a demand-responsive transit service that operates on no fixed route or schedule, arriving whenever passengers call, began operations in the Ipbuk and Dangsudong areas of Suwon starting the 17th.

Suwon Special Metropolitan City held the Phase 3 opening ceremony for the Ddogg Bus on the 17th at Dangsudong Sports Park in Gwonseon-gu, attended by Mayor Lee Jae-joon of Suwon City, members of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and Suwon City Council, Representative Baek Hye-ryeon (Suwon City District 3), and local residents.

The 'Ddogg Bus,' meaning 'the bus that moves smartly,' is a Gyeonggi Province-type demand-responsive transport (DRT) brand. It began pilot operations in Paju City in 2021 and is currently operating in 14 cities and counties. In Suwon City, Phase 1 opened in Gwangyeok New City in June 2023, and Phase 2 opened in the Pyeongdong area in October 2024.

The Ddogg Bus in the Ipbuk and Dangsudong areas began pilot operations on June 10th, and will commence formal operations with 10 vehicles starting the 17th.

It is an 11-passenger minibus that operates daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. The fare is the same as Gyeonggi Province regular buses, and passengers can benefit from integrated transfer discounts on Seoul metropolitan area buses and subway. Advance and real-time reservations are available through the 'Ddogg Ta' app.

Operating flexibly in response to passenger reservations and calls within a designated area without fixed routes or scheduled operations. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), it operates by creating optimal travel routes in real time that match passenger demand.

When a passenger calls, the operating route, boarding point, and boarding/alighting time are calculated in real time based on the nearest Ddogg Bus location and guided to the passenger.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated, "The Ipbuk and Dangsudong areas, where new city development is underway, have relatively insufficient public transit infrastructure, but with Ddogg Bus operations, transportation will become more convenient. I will continue to carefully design and expand transit services so that all areas can develop in a balanced manner."