KORAIL: "Unauthorized Boarding Cases Drop 30% After Increased Surcharge"

The number of cases involving unauthorized train boarding has dropped significantly over the past month. Analysts attribute this to the effect of increased additional fare surcharges imposed on fare evaders.

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 27th that, following the doubling of the additional fare surcharge, the number of unauthorized boarding cases detected has decreased by nearly 30%.

Passengers are bustling to board the Gyeongbu Line KTX at Seoul Station. Photo is unrelated to the article. Source=Yonhap News

Since the 1st of last month, the additional fare surcharge has been strengthened from 0.5 times to 1 time the price of a train ticket. As a result, the average daily number of unauthorized boarding cases detected last month was 679, a 29.4% decrease compared to 961 during the same period last year.

Based on these results, KORAIL analyzes that the strengthened additional fare policy has been effective in preventing unauthorized boarding and alleviating congestion.

KORAIL plans to use the collected surcharge revenue to operate discount programs for public interest purposes, such as discounts for pregnant women and families with multiple children, as well as local community railway travel. The funds will also be invested in expanding discount support and improving customer convenience facilities.

Lee Minseong, Head of Customer Marketing at KORAIL, stated, "We will thoroughly refine the additional fare system and enhance seat management efficiency to create an environment where customers with valid tickets can conveniently use the railway."

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