(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong said, "We plan to newly introduce an 'AI (artificial intelligence) based demand-customized transportation model' starting next year, which analyzes existing transportation usage status and provides optimal routes and schedules suitable for regional characteristics and residents' demand." Minister Song visited Bangnim-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do to check the status of demand-responsive transportation and made the announcement. Minister Song said, "We will actively support the establishment of related cooperative bodies and the promotion of pilot projects using AI technology to make transportation convenient anywhere in the countryside." Pyeongchang-gun introduced 'Happy Call Bus', a demand-responsive transportation, last month to improve the convenience of travel for residents in Bangnim-myeon. By calling through an app or phone, a real-time call bus is dispatched and can travel to the desired destination. Residents said that visiting hospitals or shopping has become much easier since the introduction of the call bus, but they suggested making it easier to call and allowing boarding and alighting closer to home. Minister Song said, "We will expand rural-customized transportation services that residents can feel, like in the case of Bangnim-myeon." ykim@yna.co.kr