Naju-si to Raise City Bus Fares Starting Next Month

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do announced on the 25th that it will raise the ‘city bus fares’ starting from the 1st of next month.

This city bus fare increase follows the adjustment of city and rural bus fares deliberated and approved by the Jeollanam-do Consumer Policy Committee in July 2020.

Naju City Bus Fare Increase Notice Poster.
Photo by Naju City

Following the committee’s resolution, other local governments in the province such as Yeosu, Gwangyang, Suncheon, and Mokpo raised their fares starting August 2020, but Naju City had temporarily postponed the fare increase to stabilize the local economy amid the spread of COVID-19.

The city bus fare increase rate to be applied from the 1st of next month is 14.31%.

Regular (adult) fares will increase from 1,350 won to 1,500 won, youth (middle and high school students) from 1,000 won to 1,200 won, and children (elementary school students) from 650 won to 750 won.

Intercity routes such as Yeongam and Hampyeong, and metropolitan routes to Gwangju (routes 999 and 160) will apply separate section-based fares and will also see increases.

The fare for the Naju-Gwangju route 999 bus, which was previously divided into four sections (Nampyeong, Sanpo, Innovation City, Yeongsanpo), will be simplified into two sections, ‘Sanpo’ and ‘Yeongsanpo’, resulting in an increase of 200 to 350 won compared to the existing fare.

Route 160 bus will also reduce from four sections (Noan, Dongshin University, Naju, Yeongsanpo) to two sections, ‘Dongshin University’ and ‘Yeongsanpo’, with fares rising by 200 to 400 won compared to before.

Additionally, the ‘Moksagoeul Circulation Bus’ operating in Naju’s original downtown and the Bitgaram-dong circulation bus will see fare increases: regular (adult) fares from 700 won to 1,000 won, youth (middle and high school students) from 500 won to 700 won, and children (elementary school students) from 300 won to 500 won.

The increased and revised city bus fares can be checked on the city hall website (popup window).

A 50 won discount is applied when using a transportation card, and using the ‘Altteul Transportation Card’ introduced in the 8th local government administration can reduce public transportation costs.

This card provides mileage up to 19,800 won per month, equivalent to 20% of transportation costs, proportional to the distance traveled by walking or cycling when using the bus.

Including an additional 10% discount benefit provided by the supporting card companies (Shinhan, Woori Hana), public transportation fares can be reduced by up to 30%.

Anyone aged 18 or older residing in the city can apply for the card, and card usage and mileage accumulation can be done anywhere nationwide regardless of region.

Mileage is accumulated by using the card and the Altteul Transportation Card app simultaneously at least 15 times a month and is based on the distance traveled by walking and cycling.

To use public transportation, users press the ‘start button’ on the Altteul Transportation Card app when leaving home, use public transportation, and press the ‘arrival button’ on the app upon reaching the destination to accumulate mileage.

For transportation costs under 2,000 won, 250 won is accumulated; for 2,000 to 3,000 won, 350 won; and for over 3,000 won, 450 won is accumulated respectively.

A city official stated, “Local city bus fares have been frozen for about five years and six months since the last increase in August 2016, but this adjustment is a fare rationalization measure following long-term inflation, rising fuel and labor costs, and the deliberation and approval of the Jeollanam-do Consumer Policy Committee.”

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong baekok@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.