Seoul Metropolitan Subway Fare to Rise by 150 Won in June... '1,400 Won to 1,550 Won'

Gyeonggi Provincial Council Passes Review
Fare Increase Expected After Presidential Election

The base fare for the Seoul metropolitan subway is expected to increase by 150 won, from 1,400 won to 1,550 won, as early as June.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council recently passed a proposal to raise railway fares by 150 won, titled "Request for Council Opinion on Adjustment of Urban Railway Fare Range." Once the Gyeonggi Province Consumer Policy Committee completes its review, all administrative procedures required for the fare increase will be finalized.

Since Gyeonggi Province also agrees on the necessity of the fare hike, the Consumer Policy Committee is expected to approve it without difficulty. Afterward, Tmoney, which operates the fare system, will spend about two months updating the system to apply the new fares.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, which holds the decision-making power as it operates the largest number of lines, plans to accelerate system preparations and implement the fare increase in June as soon as administrative procedures are completed.

The exact date of the increase will be finalized at a policy meeting to be held later this month among the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon City, and Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation).

Considering the broad social impact of public fare increases and the time required for system preparations, it is widely believed that the fare hike will likely take effect at the end of June, after the presidential election.