"National Assembly's Decision Needed"... Six Urban Railway Operators Nationwide Urge Reform of Free Transportation System

Free Transportation Losses Account for 58% of Annual Net Losses in Urban Railways
Accumulated Deficit Reaches 29 Trillion Won
National Petition to Be Launched in October
Lee Byungjin Urges Public Support for Passage of Pending Bills

On October 28, representatives of labor and management from six urban railway operators nationwide, including Busan Transportation Corporation (President Lee Byungjin), called for improvements to the free transportation system for urban railways and urged the government to take responsible action at the National Assembly.

The Joint Council of Labor and Management Representatives of Urban Railway Operators held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center on the same day, together with Assemblyman Lee Heonseung of the People Power Party, and Assemblymen Park Honggeun and Jeong Junho of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasizing the need for reform of the system.

The council includes Busan Transportation Corporation, Seoul Metro, and the transportation corporations of Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daejeon.

Six urban railway operators nationwide are urging improvements to the free transportation system. Photo by Busan Transportation Corporation

The free transportation system for urban railways was introduced in 1980 by presidential directive and is currently implemented based on the Welfare of the Aged Act, the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Act on the Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Service to the State. As a representative welfare policy, it guarantees the right to mobility for seniors and other transportation-vulnerable groups and expands their participation in economic activities, generating annual benefits estimated at about 236.2 billion won.

However, because the operating costs are borne not by the state but by urban railway operators and local governments, the financial deterioration has become severe. Last year, the nationwide loss from free transportation on urban railways reached 722.8 billion won, accounting for 58% of the total net loss for the year, with accumulated deficits amounting to 29 trillion won. In contrast, Korail receives government compensation for 80% of its free transportation losses, highlighting an institutional imbalance.

Over the past 20 years, several related bills have been proposed but ultimately discarded, and currently, four bills-including amendments to the Urban Railway Act, the Welfare of the Aged Act, and the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act-are pending in the 22nd National Assembly.

At the press conference, the joint council demanded the prompt passage of related bills, the institutionalization of national funding at the same level as Korail, and the strengthening of national responsibility to ensure the financial soundness of urban railway operators. In addition, to facilitate the passage of bills related to the free transportation system, they plan to launch a national petition at the National Assembly in October and aim to secure the consent of more than 50,000 citizens by November.

Assemblyman Lee Heonseung stated, "The continuation of the free transportation system is a social promise to respect seniors and maintain intergenerational solidarity," emphasizing, "Transportation is welfare, and the right to mobility is a basic condition for a dignified life, so it should be approached as a matter of sustainable welfare rather than cost."

Lee Byungjin, President of Busan Transportation Corporation, said, "A decision by the National Assembly is needed to ensure sustainable transportation welfare," and appealed for public interest and support so that the pending bills can be passed as soon as possible.

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