Seoul's New Early-Morning Autonomous Bus Makes Commuting Faster
Early mornings in Seoul just got a whole lot easier! The brand-new Early-Morning Autonomous Bus A741 is now operating, following hot on the heels of the successful A160 route (Dobong–Yeongdeungpo). This exciting new service connects Gupabal Station with Yangjae Station, making it simpler than ever to get around Seoul during the pre-dawn hours.
A741 Route Details
Operating Hours:
- Weekdays only (Monday–Friday), 3:30 AM–7:30 AM
- Route: Gupabal → Dongnimmun → Gwanghwamun → Gangnam → Yangjae
- Distance: 23.5 kilometres one way per trip
- Cost: Completely free during the initial operation period—simply tap your transit card when you board and exit
Express Service That Really Delivers
The A741 operates as an express system, stopping only at major bus stops to shave roughly 20 minutes off your journey. Some sections of the existing Route 741 will transition to a shortened route to accommodate this new service.
Fully Autonomous Technology
Here's what makes this service truly groundbreaking: the A741 is the first autonomous bus in Korea to operate completely independently across its entire route, including areas specifically designed for pedestrians and vulnerable road users.
Before You Board
- Search "A741" or "Early A741" on Naver or Kakao Maps to locate stops and check real-time information
- Standing is not permitted on this route—check seat availability using the bus information displays (BIT) before boarding
Supporting Early Commuters Across Seoul
Seoul's autonomous bus network continues to expand, designed specifically to support early commuters and fill service gaps during hours when regular bus routes are limited. The A160 line, which launched previously, has already served approximately 27,000 passengers with an impressive average satisfaction rating of 4.08 out of 5.
More routes are on the horizon. The A148 (Sanggye–Express Bus Terminal) and A504 (Geumcheon–Gwanghwamun) are set to launch in April, with further expansion planned across additional early-morning routes throughout the city.
