Busan Transportation Corporation Secures 50,000 Signatures on National Petition for State Compensation of Urban Rail Free Ride Losses

"Not a Local, but a National Responsibility"
Official National Assembly Deliberation Process Begins

Busan Transportation Corporation announced that, as of November 24, a national petition demanding that the government compensate for financial losses caused by free rides on urban railways had secured 50,000 signatures, thus meeting the official threshold for deliberation by the National Assembly.

As a result, the petition will be automatically referred to the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly, where full-scale discussions on potential legislation are expected to take place.

Despite more than 20 years of debate and repeated legislative proposals, the free urban railway ride policy has consistently been discarded at the end of each legislative term. In the 22nd National Assembly, four related bills are currently pending, including amendments to the Urban Railroad Act (proposed by Assemblyman Jung Junho and 13 others) and amendments to the Senior Welfare Act and the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act (proposed by Assemblyman Lee Heonseung and 11 others).

In response, the labor and management of six urban railway operators across the country, including Busan Transportation Corporation, jointly launched a national petition campaign on October 27. The corporation also conducted on-site campaigns and public outreach to encourage participation.

Busan, in particular, was the first among all special and metropolitan cities in Korea to enter a super-aged society, resulting in a high proportion of free riders and a severe financial burden. This regional characteristic and the sense of shared concern are credited with driving widespread citizen participation.

There are also precedents for government compensation of free ride losses. Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) secured a basis for national funding through the 2005 amendment of the Framework Act on the Railroad Industry, receiving 1.2 trillion won-about 80% of losses-over the past seven years. In contrast, urban railway operators, despite not being the main implementers of the free ride policy, have continued to shoulder the costs along with local governments, resulting in ongoing structural imbalance.

Lee Byungjin, President of Busan Transportation Corporation, emphasized, "The outcome of this petition demonstrates that the burden of free urban railway rides is no longer an issue for local governments or operators alone, but a matter of national transportation welfare, as proven directly by the people." He added, "The participation of Busan citizens has become a catalyst for realizing sustainable transportation welfare in response to a super-aged society," expressing his gratitude.

Busan Transportation Corporation Signpost.

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