Gyeonggi-do Improves Youth Transportation Expense Support Program

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will revise the operation system, including extending the application period, to improve user convenience for the 'Youth Transportation Expense Support Project' introduced last year.

The Youth Transportation Expense Support Project was first introduced by Gyeonggi Province in July last year, the first among metropolitan local governments nationwide, to reduce the transportation cost burden on youths aged 13 to 23 following the bus fare increase in the Gyeonggi area from the second half of 2019.

Up to 120,000 KRW per person annually is refunded in local currency based on the amount used.

Reflecting users' inconvenience opinions from a recent satisfaction survey, the province decided to extend the application period for the second half of the year’s youth transportation expense support, starting next month, by 15 days to operate for 45 days.

Additionally, the province plans to strengthen promotion targeting young people by utilizing influencers (YouTubers) and is considering adding mobile app pay methods as a means of transportation expense support and usage. Increasing the support amount is also being pursued.

This measure follows the analysis of a satisfaction survey conducted from the 14th to the 31st of last month targeting 3,469 users of the project last year, which indicated some areas needing improvement.

According to the survey, 90% of respondents answered that they were 'generally satisfied' with the project. However, they suggested improvements were needed regarding the application period and ease of use.

The survey divided project-related content, information provision, and ease of use into 10 items, with an overall satisfaction score of 73 points, indicating general satisfaction.

By detailed items, convenience of application method (75 points), ease of understanding project information (77 points), and appropriateness of support targets (75 points) were rated satisfactory, whereas application period (68 points), ease of use (67 points), project promotion (67 points), and project content (59 points) showed lower satisfaction, indicating the need for improvement.

A provincial official explained, "We plan to sequentially supplement the items that need improvement starting with those that are feasible."