Incheon and Seoul Subway Users' 'Re-boarding' Equity Controversy
Incheon subway users are experiencing inconvenience as they have to pay the fare again when they leave the ticket barrier to use the restroom and then re-board.
According to Incheon Transit Corporation and Korea Railroad Corporation, among the 92 subway stations in the Incheon region, 74 stations have restrooms located outside the ticket barriers.
As a result, Incheon subway passengers have to tag their transportation cards at the ticket machine when they want to use the restroom, and then pay the fare again to ride the subway.
Furthermore, at seven stations including Incheon City Hall Station and Dongchun Station, the left and right platforms are separated, so if passengers enter the opposite platform and come back, they also have to pay again.
In contrast, Seoul Transportation Corporation applies the 'free re-boarding within 15 minutes' system, allowing subway passengers who accidentally miss their destination or need to leave for urgent matters such as using the restroom to exit the ticket barriers without incurring additional fare charges if they re-board within 15 minutes.
What is even more absurd is that this system does not apply to sections operated by Korea Railroad Corporation and Incheon Transit Corporation, even if the lines are connected.
According to the Seoul City Government, thanks to this system, 13.89 million people saved a total of 25.1 billion won last year.
Incheon subway passengers can also explain their situation to the station staff to gain 'free re-entry' through the emergency gate, but this comes with the hassle of having to seek help from the staff each time.
The discrepancy between regions regarding the imposition or exemption of 're-boarding fees' has led to 'equity controversy' among users, and there has been growing dissatisfaction among Incheon subway users regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, discussions were held in November 2023 about expanding the 'free re-boarding within 15 minutes' system, but ultimately it was shelved due to issues related to revenue settlement between operating agencies.
Image source: Reference images to aid understanding of the article / Photo = Insight, reference images to aid understanding of the article / Photo = Insight
