Highway Toll Fees and KTX Prices To Rise

SEOUL, South Korea - In an effort to lesson gas usage and CO2 emmisions, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced yesterday that it would increase highway toll fees 2.9 percent and KTX ticket prices by 2.93 percent.

According to the Joongang Ilbo, the hikes will take effect from the end of this month for highway tolls and in mid-December for KTX tickets. The ministry said it would expand discounts during rush hour while applying extra charges during weekends. Although the announcement stated that there would be an average of a 2.9 percent increase in highway toll fees, the ministry explained that it was a really a 1.76 percent increase, considering discounts during rush hour.

The original plan was to raise train tickets by 7%, citing rising maintainance costs and inflation, but decided against that for fear of a backlash from consumers. 

The Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains will also see a 2.2 percent and 2 percent increase in costs.

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