Yeoju City Completes Major Expansion of Smart Bus Shelters, Doubling from 15 to 34 Locations in Two Years

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Yeoju City's 'smart bus shelter' installation project, being pursued for the convenience of public transit users, is achieving more than double the results in two years and leading transportation innovation.

According to Yeoju City, the smart bus shelters that numbered only 15 locations in 2024 have now been expanded to a total of 34 locations throughout the city following the completion of installations at Yeoju Station, Sejong Daewang Neung Station, and seven township locations this year.

The key to significantly expanding smart bus shelters to such a high level in such a short time lies in the introduction of 'Yeoju-style customized smart bus shelters.'

Instead of adopting ready-made products, the city directly designed and manufactured an optimized system capable of real-time linkage with the Yeoju City Traffic Information Center, resulting in customized smart bus shelters suited to local conditions.

Through this approach, the city reduced installation costs while maximizing operational efficiency and was able to incorporate customized features tailored to regional characteristics.

In particular, the city has completed an 'intelligent management system' by real-time monitoring and controlling bus shelter status at the traffic information center, which operates 365 days a year, enabling immediate response when problems occur.

Another notable feature of this expansion is that for the first time, the installation scope has extended beyond urban-focused areas to township locations.

It is also a strategic move to utilize bus shelters in township locations as key transit facilities during future route restructuring.

While enhancing transfer convenience at rail connection points such as Yeoju Station and Sejong Daewang Neung Station, the city has also provided a comfortable waiting environment for transportation-disadvantaged groups, including the elderly in outlying areas.

Currently, the city is utilizing smart bus shelters as core terminals in its ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) construction project, and is advancing more scientific transportation administration based on collected data.

A city official stated, "By installing smart bus shelters even in township areas, residents in outer areas of the city can now enjoy high-quality services without transportation disadvantages," adding, "We will continue to expand cutting-edge transportation infrastructure that citizens can experience firsthand, creating 'a happy city, a hopeful Yeoju.'"