One Year of Ieung Pass in Sejong: 40,000 Citizens, 10% of the Population, Become Main Users

Public Transportation Usage Up 13%, Ripple Effects on Local Economy
Public Transit Expected to Expand Further Thanks to Ieung Pass

The Sejong-style public transportation subscription, Ieung Pass, has significantly improved transportation convenience for citizens during its first year of implementation. According to a recent survey, approximately 40,000 citizens, equivalent to 10% of the city's population, have used the Ieung Pass. There are growing expectations that public transportation usage will continue to expand as a result of the Ieung Pass.

On October 16, the Sejong City government announced the results of a study conducted by the Lifelong Education Policy Research Institute’s Sejong Research Office, which analyzed the effects and fare characteristics of the Ieung Pass, as well as a survey of 1,015 citizens conducted by a professional polling agency. The study covered the period from January 1 to September 30 of this year, and the survey was conducted through face-to-face and telephone interviews from June 25 to July 13.

The analysis showed that since the introduction of the Ieung Pass in September 2023, the average daily number of public transportation rides in Sejong City increased by 13.1% as of August 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. The average daily usage rose from 69,539 rides between September 2023 and August 2024 to 78,638 rides between September 2024 and August 2025.

In fact, 75% of survey respondents who subscribed to the Ieung Pass said they used public transportation more frequently, and 61% reported a decrease in private car usage. When asked about the reasons for increased public transportation use, 72% cited the introduction of the Ieung Pass, followed by the free transfer system (9%) and bus route reorganization (6%). The Ieung Pass was the leading factor in boosting public transportation usage. On average, Ieung Pass users received a monthly refund of 24,000 won, with paid subscribers effectively saving 15,000 won in transportation costs each month.

Furthermore, the free usage benefits offered to transportation-vulnerable groups, including youth, people with disabilities, and the elderly, contributed to greater equity in transportation welfare. According to the Sejong Research Office, after the implementation of the Ieung Pass, the number of private vehicles on the road decreased by about 5,000 per day, resulting in an annual reduction of approximately 4 billion won in traffic accident costs and an air pollution reduction effect valued at 600 million won. Positive effects were also observed in the local economy, as savings on transportation costs were redirected to living expenses (50.3%) and leisure or hobby activities (14.2%), thereby boosting local consumption.

In addition, the 6.4 billion won budget invested in the Ieung Pass generated 2.1 billion won in local production inducement effects and 1.1 billion won in added value inducement effects. Going forward, the city plans to further optimize bus routes and intervals, and strengthen connections with various transportation modes such as Ouling and demand-responsive buses (DRT), to enhance mobility convenience and create a citizen-centered public transportation environment.

Choi Minho, Mayor of Sejong City, stated, "The Ieung Pass is not only improving transportation convenience for citizens, but also having a positive impact on the local economy and environment. We will continue to develop the Ieung Pass system so that even more citizens can use public transportation."

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