Light Rail Standard Fare Raised by 300 Won After 7 Years
Gimhae City in Gyeongnam Province will implement free public transportation fares for children on May 3, including the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit and city buses. The adult fare for the light rail will increase by 300 won.
According to the city, this is the first fare increase in seven years since the light rail opened in 2011, following a 100 won fare hike at that time.
The city stated that due to the implementation of transfer discounts, rapid increases in labor costs, and financial burdens caused by aging facilities, the fare increase was unavoidable.
The light rail fare increase was decided during the Gyeongnam Province Fare Adjustment Committee review, following last year’s fare hikes for public transportation including the light rail in Busan.
As a result of the review, the general fare will increase by 300 won, but youth fares will remain unchanged, and fares for children aged 6 to 12 will be set to 0 won. Along with this, city bus fares for children will also become free.
The free fare for children applies only when using a transportation card to access public transportation.
When paying by cash, city buses cost 750 won, seat buses 1,250 won, and the light rail costs 750 won for one section and 850 won for two sections.
Infants aged 0 to 5 accompanied by a parent can ride city or seat buses free of charge for one child, and up to two children free on the light rail.
The revised fare system will be applied starting from the first train on May 3.
A city official said, “This free public transportation fare policy for children is an early educational measure to encourage children to use public transportation and strengthen climate crisis response capabilities, as well as the first step in welfare policies in an era of low birth rates.”
He added, “Although the fare increase was unavoidable this time, we are discussing free metropolitan transfer fares with Busan City and Yangsan City to ease the financial burden on citizens. We will gradually expand free fare eligibility not only for children but also for youth and seniors to improve transportation welfare for citizens.”
For more details about light rail fares, information is available through the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit call center or the official website.
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