By Kim Rahn

Subway and bus fares in Seoul will rise by 200 won, Seoul City said Friday.

The city government that it will increase the basic fares for public transportation by 100 won in November from the current 900 won, followed by an additional 100 won in the first half of next year.

The measure comes amid snowballing deficits experienced by subway and bus operators due to rising operational costs. The last increase was made more than four years ago, in April 2007.

“Given the growing costs, it is desirable to raise the fare for the subway by 400 won. But we set the increase at 200 won to minimize commuters’ financial burden,” a city official said.

The fare for adolescents will rise to 880 won from the current 720 won, while those for buses operating between Seoul and nearby metropolitan regions will go up to 1,900 won from the current 1,700 won.

The combined operating loss for the two subway operators was 478 billion won last year, a 24.1-percent rise from 2007. Bus operators also saw a deficit of 306 billion won in 2010, up by 86 percent from 2007, according to the city.

“Since 2007, fuel costs have gone up 37 percent. Also costs to cover free rides for the elderly and the disabled are growing, with the losses from the free rides taking up 46.5 percent of last year’s total operating deficit. We need some alternative measures to cope with the free rides as the aging portion of society keeps growing,” he said.

Regarding public criticism that the operators should first ensure managerial efficiency, the city said the subway operators underwent restructuring and expanded other profit-making businesses, while bus operators have adopted more fuel-efficient CNG buses.