Gyeongju City to Implement Full Free City Bus Fares for Children and Teenagers Starting New Semester

To Be Implemented After City Council Ordinance Review
Existing Transportation Cards Can Be Used Without Change
Annual Budget of 3.158 Billion Won Allocated
Expected to Ease Parents' Financial Burden and Promote Public Transportation

Gyeongju City is set to implement free city bus fares for children and teenagers under the age of 18 within the city, starting from the new school semester in March.

On January 20, Gyeongju City announced that it is in the process of enacting an ordinance that will provide "full support for city bus fares" for children and teenagers. The aim is to reduce transportation costs, guarantee mobility rights, and promote the use of public transportation among young residents.

On a snowy day, teenagers are boarding a city bus at the Hwangseong Park and Municipal Library bus stops in Gyeongju. Provided by Gyeongju City

If the ordinance passes the city council's review, children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 will be able to ride Gyeongju city buses for free using their existing transportation cards.

The city plans to launch the system in March, coinciding with the start of the new school semester.

According to Gyeongju City, last year’s data shows that children took city buses 182,959 times, while teenagers used them 1,632,298 times.

Currently, city bus fares are 800 won for children and 1,200 won for teenagers.

Based on these figures, the estimated annual budget required is approximately 3.158 billion won, which will be fully funded by the city government.

However, since the system will be implemented starting in March this year, the budget will cover only 10 months, excluding the first two months.

Children and teenagers can use their existing transportation cards, which are eligible for youth fares, to ride Gyeongju city buses for free without needing a separate card.

However, if passengers pay in cash, the existing fares will still apply.

As of the end of last year, there were a total of 22,664 children and teenagers residing in Gyeongju City.

The city completed the legislative notice for the "Ordinance on Supporting Public Transportation Costs for Children and Teenagers in Gyeongju City" on January 7 and is now awaiting city council review.

Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "This policy is designed to guarantee the mobility rights of children and teenagers and to ease the transportation cost burden on parents. We will ensure thorough preparation so that the program can be implemented smoothly from the new semester, following city council review."