[New Transportation Refugee Report] The Mecca of Public Transit in the Welfare Blind Spot

The Future of Seoul - The Future of Transportation
Following Seochon, the Han River, and Yongsan, Focus Shifts to "Transportation"
75 Years of Public Transit... Achieving World-Class Standards
Policies Must Reflect Social and Structural Changes

Seoul has established itself as a global "mecca of public transportation" 75 years after introducing mass transit. This achievement is the result of public transportation policies that shifted focus from simply maximizing traffic flow to increasing passenger capacity. The subway system has reached world-class levels in terms of safety, transfers, and other service aspects, while public transportation systems such as exclusive bus lanes have become highly successful exports, not only to South America but also to Europe. This is why Seoul consistently ranks among the top 10 in sustainable urban mobility assessments of major cities worldwide.

However, there are ongoing concerns that the annual budget of 10 trillion won poured into bridging transportation gaps is actually leading to imbalances in transportation welfare. Efforts to expand transportation networks for regional balance have resulted in overcrowding and high density within the Seoul metropolitan area’s transit systems, further widening regional disparities. Seoul, used by 9.4 million people daily, is no exception. The vital connections meant to link different parts of the city are being blocked by economic logic, creating new transportation refugees.

A bus stop in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Since 2022, Asia Economy has been running a long-term series called "The Future of Seoul." Following coverage of Seochon, the Han River, and Yongsan, this year the series looks beyond Seoul to envision the future of South Korea through the lens of "transportation."

Although artificial intelligence (AI) transportation systems are being implemented in many areas, experts warn that transportation systems not reflecting social structural changes such as low birth rates and an aging population will soon reach their limits. Examples include light rail projects saddled with debt due to lack of preparation for change, educational exclusion caused by transportation isolation, and the emergence of village shuttle buses born from management difficulties and citizen demand. Despite the national crisis caused by low birth rates, the journey toward a child-friendly transportation system remains long, and pedestrian fatalities persist even as technology evolves.

Experts emphasize that "establishing national mid- to long-term transportation policies that reflect social structural changes" should be the top priority. Transportation networks that fail to consider population decline and demographic imbalance will inevitably become a "zero-sum game," even reducing utilization of existing systems. The pedestrian-centered future cities and underground city developments being planned by central and local governments must incorporate these considerations from the outset.

Kim Youngtae, Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), stated, "Most megacities around the world have reached the limits of their transportation systems because they approached transportation solely as a means of speed and convenience, failing to address complex issues. It is desirable to establish national transportation policies based on a comprehensive perspective."