Namsan toll fees to be charged for northbound traffic only

Namsan Tunnel No. 3 temporarily stops collecting toll fees for southbound traffic for the first time in 27 years, March 17, 2023. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that it will charge the 2,000 won ($1.53) congestion toll fee at Namsan Tunnel Nos. 1 and 3 for northbound traffic only, beginning Jan. 15.

The city government stopped collecting toll fees for the first time in 27 years from March 17 to May 16 last year as a temporary pricing model to decide whether to scrap the toll collection system. For the first month, toll fees were exempted for southbound traffic only, while for the second month toll fees were exempted for both directions.

Both Namsan tunnels have collected the 2,000 won toll fee on vehicles with fewer than three passengers since 1996 for southbound and northbound traffic as part of the city’s anti-congestion policy.

According to the city government, when toll fees were exempted just for southbound traffic, the traffic rate increased to around 5.2 percent, but had no significant congestion overall except for a 5 to 8 percent speed reduction on roads directly connected to the tunnel. On the other hand, when toll fees were exempted for both directions, traffic increased by 12.9 percent, and the traffic speed on major city streets decreased significantly, by 13 percent.

After conducting the two-month policy experiment and consulting with related experts, the city government decided to maintain the 2,000 won toll fee on northbound traffic only, as its effects were visible.

While toll fees will not be collected for southbound traffic, the city government said it will continue monitoring traffic conditions on surrounding roads and managing on-site communication by providing real-time traffic information.

By Lee Jung-joo(lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com)