Gwangju Transportation Corporation Calls for Government Support Over Free Ride Losses

Policy Forum Held by Six Metropolitan Subway Operators Nationwide

On the 10th, labor and management representatives from six metropolitan subway operators across the country gathered in Seoul to urge for "national government compensation for fare evasion losses." The event was attended by Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, along with 19 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, and about 150 officials from related organizations.

As rapid population aging leads to an exponential increase in social costs, labor and management representatives from six metropolitan subway operators held a policy forum on September 10 to discuss ways to improve the legal public service obligation (PSO) costs for free subway rides.

The labor and management representatives from these six organizations had previously called for prompt government-level support regarding subway fare losses in May and July. This latest forum was co-hosted by 19 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, with about 150 officials from related organizations in attendance.

The "legal free subway rides" policy has been a government-led transportation welfare initiative for over 40 years, but there has been virtually no substantial support for the operating organizations to date. In particular, losses from free rides last year amounted to approximately 700 billion won for subway operators nationwide, highlighting the need to reassess the sustainability of the system.

On September 11, President Cho Ikmoon stated, "The difficulties faced by subway operators due to demographic changes and low fares have reached their limit," and added, "We earnestly request prompt government support so that citizens can continue to enjoy universal transportation services."

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