Less running to toilet as Seoul lengthens free subway reentry time

A person uses a card to get to the subway platform in Seoul Station on Sept. 1. [NEWS1]

Starting next month, passengers in Seoul will not be required to pay again for another subway ride if they reenter the same subway turnstile within 15 minutes.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday, subway riders will be allowed to exit and enter the same ticket gate as long as they reenter within 15 minutes, up from the current 10 minutes, starting Oct. 7.

Seoul’s basic subway fare will rise to 1,400 won ($1) from the current 1,250 won on the same day.

The re-entrance will be complimentary under the city's transfer system, which does not require additional fares when transferring to another mode of transportation.

The 10-minute measure was first implemented on July 1 on subway lines No. 1 to 8 operated by Seoul Metro, as well as line No. 9.

This will now be expanded to light rail lines, including the Ui-Sinseol Line and Silim Line.

The inclusion of the two light rail lines and the time extension are expected to benefit some 15 million citizens using the subway a year. It is also expected to reduce Seoul Metro’s profit by around 20 billion won a year.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s decision to expand the measure came as Seoulites asked for more time to reenter subway turnstiles.

According to a survey conducted by the city government from July 26 to Aug. 8, 79 percent of the respondents requested an extension of the time limit.

Some asked for a time extension for safety reasons, namely, to eliminate running back to ticket gates. Others cited the needs of elderly residents and the disabled, who take longer to get around.

The city government also said it took into consideration that a total of 51 restrooms were at least 100 meters (328 feet) from the platforms of 275 stations on the subway lines currently affected by the measure.

Eighteen percent of the survey respondents asked for an expansion of the measure to other regions, including Incheon and Gyeonggi.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it is talking with the local governments of Incheon, Gyeonggi and Korail about expanding the measure to the greater Seoul area.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]