Daejeon City "Free Bus Fare for Seniors Starting This Month... More Than Half of Eligible Applicants Applied"

Daejeon City’s project to provide free bus fares for seniors aged 70 and above (hereinafter referred to as the Senior Free Bus Fare program) is set to be fully implemented. More than half of the total eligible applicants have already completed their applications. As the application deadline continues, the number of applicants is expected to steadily increase.

Daejeon City announced on the 6th that the Senior Free Bus Fare program will be launched starting from the 15th of this month.

Since the city bus fare was increased by 300 won starting from the 12th, on the 14th, a notice regarding the fare adjustment was posted on a city bus at the Seoul Station Bus Transfer Center. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Prior to the program’s launch, Daejeon City began accepting applications for the senior free transportation card from the 16th of last month through district tours, Hana Bank counters, and mobile submissions.

As of the 4th, a total of 84,451 people had completed their applications. This accounts for 55.55% of the total eligible 152,034 applicants.

In particular, considering that when the urban railway transportation card for seniors was first introduced, only 18% of the total eligible population applied initially, and the cumulative application rate has now reached 46%, the interest in the free bus fare program appears to be relatively high.

Most importantly, applications for the senior free transportation card will continue to be accepted at Hana Bank counters, so the number of applicants is expected to gradually increase.

This is because current eligible individuals may apply additionally, and seniors who turn 70 after their birthday will become new eligible applicants, thereby increasing the number of applicants accordingly.

Applicants using bank counters must bring their ID (resident registration card or driver’s license) and a bankbook in their name. If they do not have a bankbook, they can open a new account at the application site and proceed with the application.

Seniors who receive the free transportation card can use city buses, village buses, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line B1 operating in Daejeon unlimitedly and free of charge. They can also use city buses operating in Sejong, Gyeryong, and Okcheon (route 607), but fares will be charged.

Additionally, to receive the benefits of the free transportation card, the physical card must be used. Using the card via mobile pay or other digital means will not qualify for fare reimbursement (free benefits). If the card is not tagged when boarding or alighting, a fare will be charged, and the user must bear this cost.

Daejeon City is also taking preemptive measures to prevent fraudulent use of the senior free transportation card. Starting from the 15th, when tagging the senior free transportation card, different voice guidance will be provided: “Thank you” for the card, “Thanks” for general seniors, and “Love you” for youth and children, to minimize fraudulent use.

If a senior free transportation card is found to be used fraudulently, usage will be suspended for one year, and a penalty fee (30 times the fare) will be imposed. Seniors who move out of Daejeon will have their free transportation card usage suspended.

For more detailed information about the senior free transportation card, inquiries can be made through the Daejeon City Call Center or the Daejeon City Hall Bus Policy Division.

Ko Hyun-deok, Director of the Transportation and Construction Bureau of Daejeon City, stated, “Final checks are underway to implement the senior free transportation support project on the 15th,” adding, “Daejeon City will carefully oversee the project process to ensure that seniors can use public transportation safely and conveniently.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Free Bus Fare program is a pledge of Mayor Lee Jang-woo’s 8th term administration. Last year, Daejeon City consulted with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on establishing a social security system and enacted the “Daejeon City Senior Free Transportation Support Ordinance” in February this year.

In June, the city secured 3.7 billion KRW in the “1st supplementary budget” for system construction and senior transportation support, proceeding with the necessary steps to implement the project.