District Offers 300,000 KRW Plus City’s 200,000 KRW Transportation Card Benefit
"Number of Drivers Aged 70 and Over Increases Every Year"
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will provide a transportation card loaded with up to 500,000 KRW to drivers aged 70 and over who voluntarily surrender their driver's licenses starting next month. This measure aims to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers.
The number of licensed drivers aged 70 and over in Gangnam-gu has been increasing annually, with 31,000 in 2022, 35,000 in 2023, and 37,000 last year. During the same period, the number of traffic accidents caused by drivers aged 65 and over surged from 586 cases in 2022 to 753 cases in 2023. However, the rate of license surrender remains low, with only 1,296 people surrendering their licenses last year, accounting for just 3.5% of the total.
In response, the district started its own program last year to encourage license surrender by providing a transportation card loaded with 200,000 KRW to actual drivers who give up their licenses. This year, the amount has been increased to 300,000 KRW. Additionally, recipients can receive a 200,000 KRW transportation card provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to all license surrenders, making the total transportation benefit worth up to 500,000 KRW.
However, while the Seoul city transportation card is available to all elderly license holders regardless of whether they drive, the Gangnam-gu support fund is a policy designed to encourage surrender by actual drivers, so eligibility is confirmed by checking automobile insurance enrollment before issuance.
Elderly individuals wishing to surrender their licenses should bring their driver's license and automobile insurance enrollment verification to their local community service center for application. The transportation card received can be used nationwide on buses, taxis, and at T-money affiliated stores.
Those who have already received license surrender support are not eligible for retroactive application. Those who hold a license but do not actually drive can only apply for the transportation card provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The district is also actively working to improve the environment to ensure that public transportation use is not inconvenient after license surrender. This includes installing waiting seats at bus stops and paving the road surface at bus stops with concrete to prevent potholes, thereby enhancing convenience. Since last year, the district has also provided additional transportation subsidies of up to 240,000 KRW annually for seniors aged 70 and over to reduce the burden of using public transportation.
District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “We have expanded support benefits to actively encourage voluntary surrender by actual elderly drivers for their safety. Along with license surrender, we will strengthen public transportation-centered policies to create an environment where seniors can travel more conveniently and safely.”
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