Have You Ever Seen a Bus Like This in the City of Seoul?

As Of 2024, It Appears That There Are Two Routes That STARIA Neighborhood Buses Operating In Seoul:

the ‘Seongbuk 05′ and ’Jungrang 01′ routes. While these small neighborhood buses have traditionally been operated in regions outside Seoul, witnessing them in the city is quite remarkable.

Why Were These Mini Buses Introduced?

According to industry sources, there’s been a financial crunch for neighborhood bus operators due to routes with low passenger demand. According to Seoul City, the average daily ridership for neighborhood buses dropped from 1.2 million in 2016 to 851,000 in 2020. Despite Seoul City’s efforts to offset 85% of the deficit and increase bus fares, the financial situation hasn’t improved.

It Seems Like We’ll Be Seeing More Of These Buses In The Future

In 2025, South Korea is expected to enter an era of super-aged society. In addition, with the high housing prices in Seoul, the population moving to nearby cities is rapidly increasing. From a management efficiency perspective, we’re likely to see more of these mini buses.

On a side note, in rural areas with low population mobility, alternative transportation methods such as “hope taxis*” are also being introduced. * These are designed for areas with scarce or no bus services, where residents gather and ride together, often with just a few people onboard. In fact, it’s not uncommon for individuals to use them alone at times!

STARIA is a Multi-Purpose Vehicle produced by Hyundai Motor Company since 2021, serving as the successor to the STAREX. STARIA can accommodate up to 15 passengers. It belongs to the same category as Kia’s Carnival, which is well-known as a “celebrity limousine.”

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