Seoul Subway Fare, Gradual Increase of 150 Won per Step Under Review

Reduce Face Value Increase from 300 Won to 150 Won, Plan Further Increases
Considering Burden on Low-Income Households Due to Electricity and Gas Price Hikes

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering reducing the planned subway base fare increase for the second half of this year from the originally proposed 300 won to 150 won.

According to Yonhap News on the 17th, during discussions on fare hikes among related organizations including the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), a proposal to initially raise the subway fare by only 150 won in the second half of this year is being discussed.

Afternoon view of a subway turnstile in downtown Seoul on the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Baek Ho, the nominee for president of Seoul Transportation Corporation, responded at the Seoul Metropolitan Council confirmation hearing when Assemblyman Kim Kyung of the Democratic Party asked about plans to raise public transportation fares: "There was a plan to raise the fare by 300 won in April, but it was postponed due to concerns about the rising cost of living for low-income citizens," adding, "I understand that the plan was separated to raise the fare by 150 won in the second half of this year."

Originally, Seoul planned to raise the fare by 300 won at once in the second half of the year. However, KORAIL reportedly proposed dividing the fare increase into stages considering the burden on low-income citizens due to inflation. The plan is to raise 150 won first in the second half of this year and to coordinate the timing of the remaining 150 won increase later.

This is interpreted as reflecting the government's position. Given the recent increases in electricity and gas prices, there are concerns that a large subway fare hike could further increase the burden on low-income citizens.

Therefore, it is highly likely that the fare will be raised by 150 won initially in the second half of this year, followed by another 150 won increase later. Considering the general elections in April next year, the additional increase is expected to take place in the second half of next year or the year after. A city official stated, "Various discussions are ongoing regarding public transportation fares, and nothing has been finalized yet."

The planned bus base fare increase for the second half of the year is expected to proceed as originally planned. The increase amounts are 300 won for local and branch buses, 700 won for wide-area buses, 300 won for village buses, and 350 won for late-night buses. The city plans to finalize the fare increase proposal soon and submit it to the June Price Countermeasure Committee. The fare hike is expected to take place between August and September.

At the hearing, nominee Baek stated that fare increases are inevitable to resolve the corporation's deficit problem. He said, "If the fares remain unchanged, this (deficit) problem will never be solved," and pointed out, "Even if a competent external manager comes, it is a problem that cannot be resolved." As part of the corporation's self-help plan, he mentioned, "We are considering real estate development, such as developing the land held in front of Sadang Station into a transfer center for leasing, and developing the aboveground parts of DMC Station or Suseo Station to increase revenue."

Baek also said, "In Daegu and Busan, financial support from the city to the transportation corporation is already stipulated by ordinance, but Seoul does not have such an ordinance," adding, "Institutionalizing such (city financial support) aspects is necessary."

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