Jongno-gu Declares "Buses Are a Public Good"... Full-Scale Bus Fare Subsidies Across Seoul Begin in October

For Children, Teenagers, Young Adults, and Seniors
Annual Subsidy of 80,000 to 240,000 Won Reimbursed Quarterly
Applications Open from September 1

Jongno-gu in Seoul (Mayor Jung Moonhun) will fully implement the "Bus Transportation Subsidy Program" starting this October. Applications will be accepted from the 1st of next month.

Jung Moonhun, Mayor of Jongno-gu, promoting the bus fare support project. Provided by Jongno-gu.

This program is being recognized as an innovative initiative that redefines buses as a universal public good accessible to all residents and guarantees the right to mobility for all generations, not just transportation-vulnerable groups. The district plans to establish a support system encompassing all age groups, from children to youth to seniors, setting a new standard for transportation welfare and improving residents' quality of life.

The program targets four age groups: children aged 6-12, teenagers aged 13-18, young adults aged 19-39, and seniors aged 65 and older. Notably, the inclusion of young adults aged 19-39 institutionalizes the guarantee of mobility rights for this group for the first time.

The subsidy will be reimbursed to applicants’ bank accounts based on the quarterly usage of transportation cards. The quarterly limits are 20,000 won for children (80,000 won annually), 40,000 won for teenagers (160,000 won annually), and 60,000 won each for young adults and seniors (240,000 won annually). The subsidy applies not only within the Jongno area but also throughout Seoul and on village buses.

However, this subsidy cannot be combined with similar transportation support programs currently operated by the national or metropolitan governments, such as the K-Pass or Climate Companion Card, or with bus fare support for people with disabilities and national merit recipients.

Applications can be submitted by visiting the local community service center in the applicant’s registered district with a transportation card, ID, and a copy of a bank account, or through the dedicated transportation subsidy website (jongnobus.kr). For children and teenagers, parents may apply on their behalf, in which case a certificate of family relationship and the representative’s ID are required.

The first payment will be made in late December this year, covering usage from October and November. Thereafter, regular payments will be made quarterly in March, June, September, and December each year. For more details, residents can contact the Jongno-gu Bus Transportation Subsidy Call Center (1644-8521), visit the community service center, or check the dedicated transportation subsidy website.

Bus Fare Promotion Poster. Provided by Jongno-gu.

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