Seoul launches driverless night bus along Cheonggye Stream

Steering wheel-free shuttles will hit the streets of downtown Seoul this week, offering free automated rides along the historic Cheonggye Stream to connect the capital’s late-night food markets and nightlife hubs. Starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is deploying the nation's first regularly scheduled driverless night shuttle — the Cheonggye A01. Stripped of both a steering wheel and a driver's seat, the futuristic pod-like vehicle weaves along a 4.8-kilometer loop, binding together the city's vibrant nightlife, culinary hubs and cultural landmarks under the glow of the city lights. The shuttle, operating two vehicles across 11 marked stops every 30 minutes until 11 p.m., connects Cheonggye Plaza with major commercial districts, including the neon-lit food alleys of Jongno, the industrial-chic bars of Euljiro and Gwangjang Market, world-famous for its street food. Following a successful pilot program in August and a year of daytime testing, the night shuttle offers night-shift workers, late-night shoppers and international tourists free transit between ke