Seoul, South Korea - Starting May 1st, South Korea will implement new high-speed bus ticket cancellation fee standards to address the issue of frequent 'no-shows' and ensure that seats are available for those who genuinely need them.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the revised fee structure on the 18th, which aims to increase the actual reservation rate for high-speed buses.

Key changes to the cancellation fee policy include:

Weekend and Holiday Fee Increase: Cancellation fees for weekends (Friday to Sunday) and holidays will rise to 15%, while fees for major holidays like Lunar New Year and Chuseok will increase to 20%. This is a change from the previous flat rate of 10% regardless of the day.
Extended Maximum Fee Application: The maximum cancellation fee will now apply to cancellations made up to 3 hours before departure, extended from the previous 1-hour window.
Increased Post-Departure Fees: Cancellation fees after departure will increase from 30% to 50% immediately, with further increases planned for the coming years, reaching 60% in 2026 and 70% in 2027.
The ministry stated that the revisions are necessary to curb the practice of 'no-shows,' where individuals book tickets and cancel them shortly before or after departure, often on long-distance routes. Additionally, some passengers have been exploiting a loophole by booking two adjacent seats and then canceling one immediately after departure, effectively securing two seats at a reduced cost.

According to ministry data, there were approximately 126,000 instances last year where passengers booked multiple seats and then canceled some of them.

The increased fees are expected to discourage frivolous bookings and ensure that high-speed bus seats are available for passengers who truly need them.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]