Seoul may hike subway, bus fares this year

By Kim Rahn

The likely rise of subway and bus fares in Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas by more than 100 won this year will unlikely please the public.

Despite protests, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Council said Sunday that an increase in public transportation fares is expected this year.

Autumn is the most suitable time to raise the fares they say. It would be difficult for policymakers to brave public backlash for raising such fares any later than that this year or next year due to crucial elections ― a by-election in late October to select the new Seoul mayor, general elections in April next year, and a presidential election the following December.

“In discussions with Incheon and Gyeonggi Province since early this year, the decision of when to raise has not been made. Complicated city affairs such as the referendum on free school meals have delayed the process. But we have elections next year, so we can’t put it off anymore and the fares have to increase within this year,” a city official said.

He said if they miss the chance this year, the hike may not be possible until 2013 after all elections have taken place. “In that case, subway and bus operators will see snowballing losses. They already see a 500 billion won in deficit per year,” the official said.

How much to increase is also a question. The city earlier planned to raise the basic fare by 200 won from the current 900 won. But in June, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security recommended local authorities raise public fees by within 10 percent of the previous fees ― in the case of Seoul that is 90 won, or roughly 100 won.

“Since the guideline was announced, there has been a stalemate. 100 won is too small, as the fares haven’t risen for more than four years. If the central government provides financial support, we’ll set the fare at 1,000 won but if it won’t, we can’t,” the official said.

The city council considers the hike feasible.

“Citizens may suffer from additional financial burden, but we also should solve the growing deficit. We’ll have to make a conclusion in October,” council member Kim Myung-soo said.

Citizens remain against the plan, saying they are already under financial pressure from inflation. A blogger named “yeonpil” said, “Everything goes up except for my salary. Do you want me to live or die?”

Another blogger “kangyang” said, “I admit public transportation fares in Korea are cheaper than those in other countries. But whenever the government has raised the fares, it cites the deficit. But the operators never come out of the deficit despite the increases. They should reform their reckless management first.”

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