[Social Forum]
Free Rider
Social Desk
The city
of Seoul says they are planning to raise the subway fares because of the subway
operation’s chronic deficit. But, the main cause of that deficit is the free
ride program for senior citizens, which is not getting better inrecently (the near future). For the past three years,
the number of fare evasions committed by seniors who are over the age of 65 is
approaching about 3000 cases. The total cost is about one hundred million won.
Can we continue to allow the fare evasions of senior citizens among the
snowballing deficit of the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit? Let’s take a look
at the free ride program for senior citizens, whichis recognized as the main
cause of the subway public enterprise’s deficit.
Now that
the average age is over eighties due to a graying (an
aging) period, it's hard to say that the sixties age group are senior citizens.
And, the number of seniors is increasing, so it’s like adding fuel to the
deficit acceleration of the Urban Railway Corporation. In modern society where
modernization and civilization are fully developed,
it’s (it is) hard
to say that sixties age group is the weak and the old. They can do economic
activities and don’t(not) take dependent
attitudes. Besides, sometimes they seem robust more than the modern people who
are busy and tired because of studying and living their daily lives.
What's
more serious is rush hour. During this period, office workers and students
often cannot have a seat due to the elderly who get a free ride. While there is
not a moment to lose for them, they are more urgent and tensed owing to an
indiscreet act of the old. Furthermore, the elderly have to get issued another
plastic metro card by showing their identity cards when they lose or leave them
at home. But, they violate these transport regulations obstinately coming out
through the turnstiles. Senior citizens also transfer their transportation
cards to each other. These are serious problems. The elderly use public
transportation as their living room, so they require station employees to open
the gates regularly. It is too preposterous and rude to watch their attitudes.
However, if someone is caught conducting these unlawful acts, they will not be
punished because the station workers have no judicial power. There is no proper
policy for punishing an illegal ride. It is not right to require social welfare
by reason of their old age. They are not the being who forced to be favored but
just possible being to be regarded and concerned by well-intentioned.
One of
the solutions to solve Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation’s chronic
deficit is a compromise, like charging fares during rush hour, selective
provision through income certificates, or raising the senior age group to 75.
But now the public corporation’s, (corporations’)
the city government’s,(governments’ and) the
government’s opinions are divided, therefore ongoing dialogue and meetings are
required. A solution for fare evasions of senior citizens who are over the age
of 65 must be implemented as soon as possible.
Social_Forum_홍지원_고은비 손희정.docx