Is Free Public Transportation Feasible in Korea?
1. Introduction Public transportation is defined as a shared passenger transport service with a scheduled timetable and specific route that is available for use by the general public.1) Public transportation modes include buses, metro (subway), trams, trolleybuses, ferries etc. and are distinct from modes such as taxicabs, carpools or hired buses, which are not shared among strangers without private arrangement. Public transportation between cities is dominated by intercity (express) buses, intercity rail, and airlines. Is Free Public Transportation Feasible in Korea? Public transportation provides the general public the basic mobility services to employment, community resources, medical care, and recreational opportunities in communities. People who do not have access to a private motor vehicle such as young students, the aged, the poor, and people banned from driving use public transportation for their travel. Some people also choose to use public transportation since it is cheaper than the cost of driving a car. Public transport services can be operated and managed by profit-driven companies or partially or fully funded by government subsidies. In many Asian countries, public transportation services are predominantly run by privately owned profit-driven companies. In North America, public transportation services are provided by municipal transit authorities. In European countries, public transport operations are often outsourced to private transport operators.2) 1) In some areas, the terms “mass transit”, “public transit”, “public transport” are used for public transportation. 2) Wikipedia, “Public Transport”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport (accessed on Jul. 23, 2014). July / August┃2014┃Vol 19┃No 4 27 Most public transportation services are financed with the farebox revenue from the fare paying passengers and/or government subsidies via tax revenues.
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