Union rallies outside Seoul Metropolitan Council demanding fare increase
Union: revenue from transfer passengers amounts to just 600 won
City: raising fares could have ripple effects on other transport modes, requires caution
The Seoul Village Bus Transport Business Association staged a vehicle protest Wednesday, calling for a fare increase. The union is demanding a hike of at least 500 won, but the Seoul Metropolitan Government is treading carefully, citing concerns that raising village bus fares could affect other modes of transportation.
The union held the protest that morning in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in Jung-gu, arguing that a prolonged fare freeze, rising operating costs from wages, prices and fuel, and mounting losses from passenger transfers have pushed the village bus industry to the brink. Five Seoul village buses bearing banners reading "Village bus fare hike urgently needed" and similar slogans gathered for the rally.
"The current village bus fare of 1,200 won does not reflect rising operating costs, including labor, vehicle prices and maintenance expenses," said Kim Yong-seung, chairman of the association. "Under Seoul's public transit transfer policy, when passengers ride a village bus and then transfer to the subway or a city bus, the revenue the village bus actually settles for averages only around 600 won."
"The weakening of village bus operating conditions is leading to a shortage of drivers, longer intervals between buses, and growing burdens for vehicle maintenance and safety management," Kim said, adding, "Ultimately, the damage will fall on Seoul citizens who use village buses." He went on to say, "We are currently running a deficit of more than 100 billion won ($74.6 million), and quite a few operators are considering shutting down. A fare increase of at least 500 won is necessary."
Kim and other union officials chanted slogans including "Seoul must immediately normalize village bus fares" and "Seoul must immediately decide on a village bus fare hike." The five banner-clad village buses departed from the council's main building and circled through Seoul City Hall, City Hall Station, Seosomungil, the Korean National Police Agency, Seodaemun Station and Gwanghwamun intersection as part of the protest.
On this, a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said, "We are aware of the union's request for a fare increase, having received it in writing. However, raising village bus fares could trigger a chain reaction of similar demands from other transport modes, so we need to carefully review a number of factors."
The union said it plans to continue the vehicle protest through Friday.
ikson@heraldcorp.com
