Seoul Jung-gu, 97.8% of Elderly Report Positive Changes in Life from Transportation Cost Support

Support for transportation expenses up to 30,000 KRW per month
80.3% satisfaction with transportation expense support program

Elderly transportation fare satisfaction field survey scene. Provided by Jung-gu.

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) announced on the 29th that a survey on the usage status and satisfaction of the ‘Senior Citizen Transportation Expense Support Project’ revealed that 80.3% of seniors are satisfied with the transportation expense support project, and 97.8% reported feeling changes in their daily lives.

Since November last year, Jung-gu has been the first autonomous district in Seoul to provide bus and taxi fare support for seniors aged 65 and older. Jung-gu conducted an on-site survey from June 3 to 28. A total of 1,975 seniors, accounting for 10% of the applicants for senior transportation expenses, participated in the survey.

The survey results showed 40.9% were very satisfied, 39.4% generally satisfied, 15.1% neutral, and 4.1% dissatisfied. Due to the transportation expense support, 70.9% responded that their frequency of outings increased, and 97.8% of seniors felt changes in their daily lives. In particular, they reported experiencing changes such as increased use of public transportation, economic assistance, and improvements in mental and physical health and interpersonal relationships.

Additionally, seniors used the transportation expenses for various aspects of daily life, not limited to specific purposes such as grocery shopping at markets or marts (31.9%), commuting to work (22.4%), hospital visits and others (12.5%), hobbies and leisure activities (11.6%), and meeting children or relatives (9.9%).

Seniors were found to use transportation modes in the order of subway (51.5%), bus (41.4%), and taxi (5.4%). Among multiple responses, 22.8% reported taking taxis along with either the subway or bus. This is significantly higher compared to the 2% of seniors in Seoul who primarily use taxis, according to the 2022 Seoul Senior Citizens Survey.

Regarding this, Jung-gu evaluated, “Considering the characteristics of Jung-gu, which has many hills including Namsan and its surrounding trails, and the absence of village buses, the district’s decision to support taxi fares was proven to be an essential part for seniors.”

Meanwhile, seniors reported difficulties in checking transportation card usage history (30%) and recharging cards (19.8%), as well as inconveniences in connecting to the dedicated call center (11.4%). The district plans to discuss improvement measures with T-money based on seniors’ feedback.

This year, Jung-gu supports transportation expenses for bus and taxi use up to a monthly limit of 30,000 KRW, reimbursing the amount used. According to the ordinance, the support amount can be increased by up to 10,000 KRW per month compared to the previous year. Therefore, how satisfied seniors are with the project, which transportation modes they use, and how frequently they use them will be important data for future support directions.

District Mayor Kim Gil-seong said, “We confirmed that transportation expense support has become integrated into seniors’ daily lives and helps promote active social activities,” adding, “We will continue to carefully oversee so that seniors can create healthier and happier daily lives.”

The senior transportation expenses provided by Jung-gu are available to any senior aged 65 or older residing in Jung-gu, who can apply by visiting the local community service center or through the online ‘Seoul Jung-gu Senior Transportation Expense Support Project System.’ As of the end of June, the number of applicants for senior transportation expense support reached 19,715, which is 75.4% of the eligible population.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.