Starting October, 683 million KRW to be paid this year
Public transportation usage increased by 5.47% during this period
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 25th that through the transportation cost support project for seniors, youth, and children?the first of its kind in Seoul?a total of KRW 683 million was paid to 35,268 people on the 20th.
This project reimburses actual transportation costs incurred by seniors aged 65 and over and children and youth aged 6 to 18, who are registered residents of Gangnam-gu, when using city and village buses within Seoul. The quarterly support amounts are KRW 60,000 for seniors, KRW 40,000 for youth, and KRW 20,000 for children, with annual reimbursements up to KRW 240,000, 160,000, and 80,000 respectively.
The district established a dedicated website called the ‘Gangnam-gu Transportation Cost Support Management System’ in August and began member registration. For residents who find internet use inconvenient, offline applications were also accepted at local community centers, resulting in 48,489 registered members as of the end of November.
The transportation costs paid this time are reimbursements for usage in October and November. Seniors received up to KRW 40,000, youth up to KRW 26,000, and children up to KRW 13,000. Applications for support were accepted from the 1st to the 10th of this month, and after settling transportation card usage records, payments were deposited into applicants’ accounts on the 20th.
The next payment is scheduled for March next year, covering usage from December to February (three months). Applications will be accepted in early March, with payments made at the end of March. Membership registration will continue next year through the website and local community centers.
Through this transportation cost support, 35,268 residents saved an average of KRW 9,720 per person per month on transportation expenses. Based on the adult city bus fare of KRW 1,500, this corresponds to approximately six rides per month. Given the bus fare increase last August, which raised fixed transportation costs for households, this project has provided tangible support. Additionally, since the project’s implementation, monthly public transportation usage in Gangnam-gu increased by 5.47% compared to the same period last year, demonstrating the policy’s effectiveness.
District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “This project not only reduces the transportation cost burden for vulnerable groups but also is expected to promote public transportation use and alleviate traffic congestion. Next year, we will increase the prepaid transportation card support from KRW 200,000 to KRW 300,000 for drivers aged 70 and over who surrender their licenses, making it more convenient to use public transportation.”
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