"Are We Going Home By the Speed of Our Fingers?"Elderly People Left Behind by '100% Contactless Booking'
During the holiday season, train tickets have moved inside smartphones. But for the elderly who are not used to digital environments, simply traveling home has become yet another barrier.
To Seoul Station for Just One Ticket (Click to see the 2026 Chuseok train ticket reservation schedule)
Kiyeon Lee (82) rode the subway for nearly an hour from her home to Seoul Station to meet her younger sister in Busan.
Unfamiliar with how to book tickets on her smartphone, she managed to secure a ticket with both standing and seated options after much difficulty.
"I've never learned how to buy tickets on a cell phone or by phone."
"Still, I'm happy to be able to go to my sister's place."
The End of the Ticket Window in Numbers
Three Voices Heard at the Station
On-the-ground Voices
"Can't even use a cell phone without help from my children."
There were elderly who made their way to the station unaware of the contactless reservation policy, only to have to return home empty-handed.
The Family's Sadness
Many seniors do not want to rely on their children, or have no family to assist them.
The Digital Barrier
During the holiday reservation rush, where seats disappear within seconds, digital skills become the doorway to booking a ticket.
Digital Skills by Age Group
This is about one third the national average. It leads to a question: Is competition under this identical reservation system truly fair?
Here is What Experts Suggest
Expert Opinion
Experts point out that a certain portion of holiday tickets should be reserved for on-site ticket windows, with more phone operators for reservations and more designated seats for transportation vulnerable passengers, to guarantee real accessibility.
KORAIL's Position
The number of seats reserved for transportation vulnerable individuals has been increased from 10% to 20%. However, due to the high online ticketing ratio and work efficiency, the 100% contactless holiday reservation method is still maintained.
Foreign Railways Offered More Options
While expanding online reservation, major stations still run face-to-face ticket windows and reserved seat vending machines side by side.
Alongside internet booking, station travel centers provide both ticket purchase and in-person consultation.
Along with online and mobile, you can also buy tickets or get help by phone, at station windows, or at ticket machines.
As fast as our digital transition moves,
we need measures to make sure no one is left behind when returning home for the holidays.
