Seoul city buses have recently faced a crisis due to a continuous decrease in the number of users and a subsequent increase in subsidies. Additionally, the level of service is stagnant, failing to meet the needs of various Seoul citizens. Accordingly, we intend to improve the weak points of Seoul's bus service by introducing demand-responsive mobility service (DRT). We propose three types of Seoul-style DRT services: route replacement, commute customization, and late-night bus connection.
Seoul city buses face crisis due to decreased use and increased subsidies... Need to introduce demand-responsive mobility service (DRT)
Following the public transportation reform in 2004, the bus mode share increased until 2010 due to Seoul City's continuous efforts, but has continued to decline since then until recently. Due to the impact of the pandemic, the number of users decreased further, and subsidies also increased approximately 2019 times from 2,915 billion won in 2022 to 8,144 billion won in 2.8. The decline in users is due to the failure of bus services to meet the diverse needs for transportation services. The weaknesses of Seoul city buses can be summarized as problems due to insufficient demand, problems due to overcrowding, and lack of late-night travel services. To solve these problems, the introduction of Demand Responsive Transportation (DRT) can be considered.
Improving operational efficiency and service level at the same time by introducing route replacement, commuting customization, and late-night bus connection DRT
Three types of DRT are proposed to improve the operational efficiency and service level of bus services. First, we reviewed the introduction of 'route replacement DRT' on village bus routes with insufficient demand, which had recently been suspended due to operational deficits. As a result of the effect analysis, when DRT is operated with the existing number of village buses, service improvement is possible by reducing waiting time by less than 1/3.
Second, we reviewed ‘commuting-customized DRT’ to improve the comfort and safety of overcrowded routes. It is expected that creative private services will be discovered using idle resources such as school buses, and for this purpose, standards for issuance of limited licenses and business management procedures must be established.
Lastly, to improve accessibility during late-night hours, we reviewed the 'late-night bus-linked DRT'. Through the survey, sufficient willingness to use and pay for DRT was confirmed, and it is expected that DRT will improve users' accessibility and ensure operational efficiency.
Coexistence with transportation operators, encouraging operators to participate in DRT, and pilot introduction of self-driving DRT are necessary.
In order to successfully introduce DRT, it is necessary to minimize side effects by first issuing DRT-limited licenses to existing operators, such as converting loss-making bus routes to DRT and introducing safe taxi ridesharing, in order to coexist with existing transportation operators. In addition, operator participation should be encouraged, such as providing incentives for semi-public DRT operation. In the long term, preparations must be made to establish DRT as a major tool for Seoul City through pilot operation of autonomous DRT.