One of the interesting things about coming to the U.S. was the button at intersections for the traffic light. I don’t have to wait at the crosswalk for a long time until the light has been changed. Unlike Korea, where the transportation system is centered on vehicles, the U.S. operates mainly on pedestrians.
Not only this, there are yellow cords along the windows in the bus in the U.S. I didn’t know that I had to pull the string and was in a panic the first time when I missed the bus stop that I should get off at. Not giving back change when paying cash, and being able to keep a bicycle in front of the bus are also notable differences.
South Korea is highly appreciated for its efficient transportation. First, people can use all buses and subways freely with only one transportation card. I had to find each different transportation according to the area if I travel in the U.S. Moreover, regardless of the means of transportation and the number of transfers, people can pay the fare for the distance they traveled. Although this is only applicable when using a card, not cash, the transfer discount system is an apparent advantage. Even if you don’t get a discount, the overall fee is still low and the bus fare in the U.S. is over $2, while it is about $1 in Korea.
Second, there are massive screen displays at bus stops and subway stations in general. People can get detailed information visually about which bus or subway is coming and when.
Quarantine regulations such as business restrictions made during the spread of COVID are completely gone these days. The last train time was extended, resulting in a surge in late-night public transportation passengers. Subway use from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. increased by about 2.3 times from 29,000 in 2021 to 67,000 in 2022. The buses operating at the same time called “Owl Bus,” also increased 1.5 times from 78,000 in 2021 to 117,000 in 2022.
It is already well known that Korea’s security is good compared to other countries. Lots of people use public transportation even in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, a recent report in Los Angeles described a series of stabbings on the subway. According to L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority data, reports of violent crimes on the subway became 25% higher from the same time last year in 2021.
The other feature, “a weak air-conditioning” compartment is available on every train when using a subway. The subways are operating cooling and heating systems in summer and winter. But for people who are sensitive to cold, this compartment controls air-conditioning weaker than other parts. Additionally, transportation is easy to use for foreigners because multilingual announcements are provided. Also, the environment is basically pleasant because eating is avoided.
However, these advantages are mostly concentrated in Seoul. Residents who are staying in local areas are barely accessible or need a lot more time to use these facilities. Not only public transportation but also basic infrastructures such as occupations, housing, and welfare, the centralization of the metropolitan area is severe in Korea.
In 2020, the population of the capital area exceeded 50% of the total population for the first time in history. This phenomenon causes clear problems such as traffic issues, an increase in particulate matter, a surge in real estate prices, lack of job opportunities. The local economy is stagnating due to the aging population and the deepening outflow of young people, accelerating local extinction. There is even the stigma of the “Republic of Seoul.”
Moreover, disability rights activists named Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD), have been protesting during the morning rush hour on transportation for the past years. They block entry to the trains and disrupt major lines. As BBC highlighted, they say they are tired of being denied access to parts of the system. They want a huge increase in funding for mobility provisions – and a key demand is the installation of lifts at all stations to make the entire network accessible for wheelchair users. As of 2021, the low-floor buses for people who have disabilities are 30.6% of city buses nationwide. Although the rate has increased considerably compared to the past, it is pointed out that it is still difficult for the disabled to ride the bus.
Last March 10, Mayor Choi Min-Ho of Sejong City and Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston met to discuss public transportation policy partnership. During the meeting with Mayor Michelle Wu, Mayor Choi explained that “Both cities have various similarities in terms of scale, education, transportation, and innovation, and especially in the direction of promoting public transportation policy.”
Mayor Wu also expressed a high interest in Sejong, which is becoming the administrative capital of Korea, and the two cities agreed to build a friendly cooperative relationship and solve urban problems through a continuous exchange. This partnership is expected to resolve regional imbalances.
Also, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Korea, announced the “4th Plan to Promote the Convenience of Transportation for the Disabled” and announced that 62% of city buses nationwide will be low-floor buses by 2026.
Socar, a Korean mobility platform, revealed the “2023 Private Car Perception Survey.” According to the report, 9 out of 10 owners of private vehicles use less than two hours a day in Korea. Six out of 10 (59.8%) think that owning a car causes social costs such as traffic jams and environmental problems. As for the “reasons why they have no plans to purchase vehicles in the future,” minor car owners answered in the order of economic burden (31%), low utilization rate (28.2%), the convenience of public transportation (27.5%), and parking stress (26.8%). Private car owners cited low efficiency (60%) and parking stress (45.7%) as the reasons for dissatisfaction after purchasing a vehicle.
Meanwhile, according to Forbes, 91.7% of households had at least one vehicle in 2021 in the U.S. Only 8.3% of households did not have a vehicle. Compared to Korea, the need for public transportation development is weak. In common, both Korean and U.S. transportation system is centralized in the capital area such as Seoul and New York. I hope various kinds of methods to make it easier for the people who live without cars like me, to get around.
Juri Kim is an international intern from Korea.
