Gwangjin-gu, Seoul's First to Support Village Bus Transportation Costs for Children (80,000) and Youth (160,000)

Annual Mileage Payment of 80,000 KRW for Children and 160,000 KRW for Youth within Limits... Supporting Village Bus Users in Transportation Blind Spots to Ease Residents' Burden, Expecting to Resolve Village Bus Operators' Financial Difficulties and Realize Eco-Friendly Transportation Policies

Front side of Gwangjin-gu village bus free transportation card

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is the first district in Seoul to provide village bus fare support for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18.

The district is promoting a project to alleviate the transportation cost burden for children and adolescents using village buses, which are in public transportation blind spots, and to enhance convenience in using village buses.

Additionally, through this project, the district expects to help resolve the financial difficulties of village bus operators caused by COVID-19, increase public transportation usage, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to creating a pleasant urban environment.

The support targets children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 who are registered residents of Gwangjin-gu; residents currently receiving subsidies or other financial support from the district for transportation costs are excluded.

Eligible individuals can use their existing children’s or youth prepaid T-money cards or the free transportation cards to be distributed at the local community centers in May.

Alternatively, support can be received by downloading and using the mobile T-money application. However, users must register as members and register their cards on the T-money website.

The amount supported is up to 80,000 KRW annually for children and 160,000 KRW annually for adolescents, based on transportation card usage starting from May 1 of this year.

Payment will be made after registering the card information on the website, which will be established in September; transportation card expenses will be settled quarterly and reimbursed as T-money T Mileage points.

Notably, this village bus fare support covers not only single trips but also village bus usage fees incurred after transfers from other city buses or subways.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “During the COVID-19 crisis, many are facing economic difficulties, and I wanted to ease the transportation cost burden even a little for residents using village buses in transportation blind spots, so we decided to provide village bus fare support for the first time in Seoul.”

He added, “Furthermore, through this project, I hope to increase public transportation usage and provide some help to village bus operators who are experiencing financial difficulties.”