Seoul City Reverses Decision in Two Days: "Will Not Pursue Distance-Based Bus Fare System"

"Considering the Burden on the Common Economy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided not to introduce a distance-based fare system for buses, similar to the subway, where an additional fare is charged if the boarding distance exceeds 10 km, in line with this year's public transportation fare increase.

Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 8th, Seoul City stated in a press release, "Seoul City had previously submitted a proposal to the City Council to introduce a distance-based fare system for city buses, which currently do not apply such a system, based on the beneficiary pays principle." It added, "After hearing various opinions, considering the ongoing high inflation burden on the common people's economy and the burden on Incheon and Gyeonggi residents commuting to Seoul, it was decided not to proceed with the introduction of a distance-based fare system for city buses."

Earlier, Seoul City had submitted the 'Seoul Metropolitan Public Transportation Fare Adjustment Plan for Opinion Hearing,' which included the distance-based fare system, to the City Council on the 6th.

According to the proposal, the city suggested raising the basic bus fare and changing the fare system from the current flat-rate system to a distance-based system. Currently, in Seoul, if a passenger uses only the bus once without transferring to the subway, only the basic fare is paid.

Initially, Seoul City explained, "Over the past five years, the average annual operating deficit increased to 920 billion KRW for the subway and 540 billion KRW for city buses, while the fare realization rates decreased to 62.0% for the subway and 57.8% for buses as of 2021."