Starting from the 28th of next month, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply if train tickets are canceled just before departure. Currently, a maximum cancellation fee of 10% is imposed when reserving train tickets on weekends (Friday to Sunday) or holidays, until just before departure.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 27th that they will double the cancellation fees for weekends and holidays. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport noted, "To increase seating turnover and encourage rapid refund decisions and reservations by actual users, we will revise the cancellation fee system for weekend and holiday train services and the criteria for additional charges for unauthorized boarding."
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has observed that the low level of cancellation fees has led some passengers to make multiple seat reservations during peak demand times and request refunds just before departure. As a result, passengers who actually wish to use the train are unable to secure seats, causing a continuous issue of wasted seating.
Under this revision, the cancellation fee will be 5% for cancellations made one day prior to the scheduled departure time. It will be 10% until three hours before departure on the day of travel, increase to 20% three hours thereafter until just before departure, and 30% for cancellations made up to 20 minutes after departure. The revised cancellation fee standards will take effect for trains departing on May 28 after a month-long promotional period for users.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will also strengthen the criteria for additional charges imposed when boarding without a ticket to prevent unauthorized boarding and reduce congestion inside the vehicles.
Concerns about safety on trains have been consistently raised due to some passengers using the train without paying the proper fare. Consequently, the additional fare for not having a ticket will be increased from the previous 0.5 times to 1 times the fare.
Additionally, the criteria will be clearly adjusted to impose additional fares when a short-distance ticket is purchased and extended to a long-distance segment while on the train.
The amended additional fare criteria are set to take effect on October 1 of this year after a sufficient grace period.
New regulations will be established to maintain order within the train and protect customers. The revised passenger transport terms will include a provision prohibiting actions that cause unpleasantness or danger to other passengers. Going forward, if individuals disrupt the use of the train due to noise or unpleasant odors, their train usage may be restricted. The full text of the revised 'Passenger Transport Terms' will be available on the KORAIL and SR websites starting from the 28th of this month.
Yoon Jin-hwan, the director of the Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "We have adjusted the cancellation fees and additional fares to ensure fair access to train services for everyone and create a pleasant environment. This revision aims to improve the efficiency of seat usage and cater to passengers in need, and we will continue to strive for a safe and convenient railway system."