Seoul to hike subway fare from October, bus fares also to rise

Social Affairs

Published: 12 Jul. 2023, 18:32 Updated: 12 Jul. 2023, 19:04

Seoul to hike subway fare from October, bus fares also to rise

Passengers exit the platform at Jonggak Station in Seoul on Wednesday, when the city government announced its decision to raise subway fares starting in early October. The single adult fare will rise from 1,250 won ($0.97) to 1,400 won from as early as Oct. 7. [YONHAP]

The subway fares in Seoul will rise 150 won ($0.12) starting in early October, the first hike in eight years.

The city government of Seoul passed a bill Wednesday to raise subway fares by 150 won later this year. The single adult fare will rise from 1,250 won to 1,400 won.

“The plan is to raise fares starting Oct. 7, though the date may change after negotiations with railway operators in Incheon and Gyeonggi,” said the city government in a statement Wednesday.

The city plans a further fare hike of 150 won next year to address the continued financial struggles of Seoul's subway operators.

The metropolitan government cited the reduced use of subways during the Covid-19 years of 2020 and 2021, and rising costs of human resources and general inflation as factors contributing to the financial difficulties of subway operators in the capital city.

The annual profit of subway operators in Seoul dropped from 2 trillion won in 2019 to 1.6 trillion won in 2021, according to the city government. In the same time period, the operation costs grew an average of 2.3 percent annually to 2.6 trillion won.

“This rise in subway fares comes for the first time in eight years,” said the city government in its statement.

Bus fares will also see a hike from Aug. 12.

The single adult bus fare will rise from 1,200 won to 1,500 won for the general green and blue buses; from 2,300 won to 3,000 won for inter-city buses, usually red; from 2,150 won to 2,500 won for the midnight buses; and from 900 won to 1,200 won for green village buses, also called maeul buses. The single adult fare on yellow buses, known for their circular routes throughout the city, will also rise from 1,100 won to 1,400 won.

The discount rates for minors will stay the same; at 40 to 42 percent for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 and 63 to 64 percent for children between the ages of six to 12. Children younger than six ride for free.

The growth of the elderly population is partly to blame for public transportation deficits. People over 65 years old ride the subway for free in most cities.

Local governments outside of Seoul have also implemented free bus programs for the elderly. The Daegu city government, for instance, made bus rides free for all citizens over 75 years old starting this month. Namwon city government did the same for those over 70 years old.

Korea has one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, with those aged over 65 accounting for 17.5 percent of the total population as of last year, according to Statistics Korea.

“We apologize for raising fares when people are already struggling with ongoing inflation,” said Yoon Jong-jang, director of Seoul's transportation bureau in a statement Wednesday. “The city will try its best to provide safe and convenient public transportation for all residents.”

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]