Proposal to raise the subway free-rider age to 70… free bus rides also under review
Seoul City is 추진ing a plan to raise the subway free-rider age to 70, and is also reviewing free bus support. Check the key issues from the public hearing on balancing transportation welfare for seniors and the financial burden.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pushing a plan to raise the subway freerides eligibility age from the current 65 and older to 70 and older. The city plans to hold a related public hearing together with the Seoul branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and discuss policy proposals for public transportation for senior citizens.
This proposal also includes a plan to newly introduce free use of city and village buses for those aged 70 and older. However, a method that would limit monthly rides to a maximum of 14 is under review, and Seoul believes the budget savings from raising the subway freerides age will be roughly similar to the cost required to support free bus rides.
Seoul estimated that introducing a free bus ride system would cost 50 billion to 60 billion won per year. Last year's losses incurred by Seoul Metro due to free subway rides were tallied at 448.8 billion won. Seoul and the Senior Citizens Association plan to discuss both the necessity of the system and its financial impact at the public hearing.