Government to introduce public management company for highway rest areas to lower prices
The government will entrust highway rest area operations to public management companies to reform the fee structure and promote low-cost coffee and 24around-the-clock convenience stores. As early as 12month, it said, rest areas could offer 1,000~2,000won coffee.
The government announced a plan to entrust highway rest area operations to public management companies in order to lower fees and reduce food and beverage prices. This plan will directly affect the operating model of rest areas and consumer prices.
The public management companies will be responsible for revising the fee structure at rest areas and promoting low-cost coffee sales and 24around-the-clock convenience stores. The specific organizational structure and scope of management will be decided later.
According to the report, the price of Americano sold at existing rest areas could fall from 4,800won to around 2,000won. In some sections, even lower price ranges are being targeted.
The government said that as early as 12from month, coffee sales at highway rest areas will also 1,000~2,000won range. The pilot targets and scope will be announced later.
It also explained that it will simultaneously push to expand convenience store operating hours and improve the store-entry structure. Adjustments to fees and changes to the operating method require contract revisions with businesses operating at the rest areas.
Meanwhile, regarding this measure, expectations for lower prices and concerns about a shift to a public-management model were said to be mixed. The specific implementation method and legal and contractual procedures have not yet been finalized.
The government plans to announce additional details, the implementation schedule, and pilot regions. Final implementation will be confirmed only after the related legal procedures and negotiation results are completed.