The province announced plans to raise local bus fares.

However, it is very unlikely that islanders will support the plan as a huge amount of tax is already being poured into bus operations every year.

Mike Balfour reports.

Bus fares are 1,200 won for city buses, 3,000 won for intercity express buses and 5,000 won for buses linking Jeju International Airport and Seogwipo.

[slug] Current bus fares in Jeju: 1,200 - 5,000 won

140 billion won is budgeted by local bus operators every year.

[slug] 100 billion won of tax poured into bus operations in 2018

Meanwhile, the earnings of local bus operators were only about 40 billion won last year.

This means the deficit of 100 billion won is covered by taxpayers' money. This is a so-called “semi-public bus management system”.

[slug] Province considering raising bus fares

To make up the deficit, the province is now considering raising bus fares.

It has been five years since the last fare boost in 2014.

INTERVIEW
Heo Mun-jeong / Representative, Province
Loca bus fares are the lowest in the nation. Revised fare policies will be released from a realistic standpoint to reflect the analysis results on the current fee system, price and labor cost increase, and the need to hire additional drivers.
<인터뷰:허문정/제주특별자치도 대중교통과장>
"전국 최저 수준의 요금체계를 유지하고 있습니다. 버스 운송수지와 현재 요금체계 적정성을 분석, 물가와 인건비 인상, 운전자 충원 등 요금 현실화 요인을 고려한 요금체계 개선안이 제시될 것으로 파악됩니다."

[slug] Transport ministry to increase bus fares 10.7-12.2%

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced in February this year that it will raise fares for intercity buses 10.7 percent and for express buses 12.2 percent on average and reduce working hours for bus drivers to 52 hours per week.

Cities and provinces on the mainland are raising fares.

However, here in Jeju, bus operators are already subsidized by the local government.

This is why islanders are not happy about the possible fare increase.

Recording
Kim Dong-hyo / Resident in Samyang-dong, Jeju City
A bus fare increase would be burdensome for local bus users.
<씽크:김동효/제주시 삼양동>
"일단 저부터도 부담될 것 같고, 도민들도대중교통 많이 이용하니 요금 인상된다면
부담될 것 같아요"

The provincial council is cautious about the fee hike as it would increase the cost of living.

Gang Seong-min / Councilor
It has been two years since the local buses subsidized with local tax money. The bus fares rise will increase the cost of living of islanders. <강성민/제주도의회 의원>
"준공영제를 시행한지 채 2년이 안됐기 때문에 버스요금 인상은 시민들에게 부담으로 다가올 수 있고 버스정책 실패로 볼 수 있습니다."

The province will decide whether it will raise the fares or not after it carries out a feasibility study on the bus fare system and seek public opinion.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Jwa Sang-eun

For the moment, islanders won’t likely support the potential bus fare increase.
Mike Balfour, KCTV