Seo-gu in Gwangju Expands 'Cheonwon Taxi' Transportation Welfare Program with 300 Million Won Budget

Support Expanded from Patients with Severe Illnesses to Include Seniors with Mobility Difficulties

Seo-gu District in Gwangju Metropolitan City will expand and operate the "Cheonwon Taxi" project. Photo by Seo-gu Office

On January 2, Seo-gu District in Gwangju Metropolitan City announced that it will expand and operate the 'Cheonwon Taxi' project, aimed at reducing transportation costs for medically vulnerable groups.

Seo-gu has expanded the eligibility for Cheonwon Taxi support from only patients with severe illnesses (Type 1 Medical Aid recipients with special exemptions) to now include seniors with mobility difficulties (Long-term Care Grades 1 to 4, recently discharged patients, and those undergoing dementia screening). Accordingly, the budget has increased sixfold from last year to 300 million won.

The Cheonwon Taxi is a transportation welfare policy in which medically vulnerable individuals pay only 1,000 won to visit hospitals using the Gwangju Bitgoeul Call Taxi, with Seo-gu District covering the remaining fare.

Seo-gu provides each eligible recipient with 2 to 4 taxi vouchers per month. The district covers up to 20,000 won for rides within the Gwangju area and up to 30,000 won for trips to Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital.

Lee Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, stated, "I hope the Cheonwon Taxi will provide practical help to residents who face difficulties visiting hospitals," adding, "We will continue to do our best to close care gaps and build a healthier local community."

Meanwhile, Seo-gu is continuously expanding its 'Cheonwon Companion' policy, which includes initiatives such as Cheonwon Guksi and Cheonwon Picnic, to reduce residents' financial burdens and address welfare blind spots.