"The More You Ride, the More You Save on Fares"... Jeonbuk Expands Public Transportation Fare Refund Program

Temporary Implementation from April to September, Up to 83.3%
Tiered Benefits by Category, Including for Low-Income Groups

With the burden of transportation costs increasing due to high oil prices and inflation triggered by the aftermath of the Middle East war and other factors, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is significantly expanding its 'Public Transportation Fare Refund Support Program (Everyone's Card).' According to the province on April 23, this program will be temporarily implemented from April to September this year, covering all 14 cities and counties within the province. The total project budget amounts to approximately 4.948 billion won, with 2.474 billion won each allocated from the national and local governments.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Office

The refund system will operate in two ways: a basic type (fixed-rate), which returns a certain percentage based on usage, and Everyone's Card (fixed-amount), which covers the entire amount exceeding a set monthly threshold.

The basic type features a 'staggered ride' incentive for boarding outside of rush hours. If passengers board during staggered time slots—5:30-6:30 a.m., 9:00-10:00 a.m., 4:00-5:00 p.m., or 7:00-8:00 p.m.—an additional 30 percentage points are added to the refund rate. With this applied, the general public can receive up to 50% back, young adults (aged 19-34), two-child families, and seniors (aged 65 and over) up to 60%, households with three or more children up to 80%, and low-income groups such as basic livelihood security recipients and those in the next-lowest income bracket up to a maximum of 83.3%.

For the fixed-amount Everyone's Card, the refund threshold is being halved under this expansion. For the general public in provincial areas, the standard drops from 55,000 won to 27,000 won; for young adults, two-child families, and seniors, from 50,000 won to 23,000 won; and for households with three or more children and low-income groups, from 40,000 won to 20,000 won. The more frequently public transportation is used, the greater the perceived savings, making the program particularly advantageous for high-frequency riders.

Support also varies by region. Jeonju, Gunsan, Iksan, and Wanju are classified as general areas; Gimje, Namwon, and Jeongeup as preferential support areas; and Jinan, Muju, Jangsu, Imsil, Sunchang, Gochang, and Buan as special support areas. By reflecting population decline and the degree of regional underdevelopment, rural and marginalized areas are assigned lower thresholds, thereby offering greater actual benefits.

The provincial government expects this initiative not only to reduce transportation expenses but also to positively impact the operational stability of city and rural bus companies, which have been suffering chronic deficits. The aim is to revitalize the entire regional public transport ecosystem through a virtuous cycle in which increased ridership leads to improved revenue for transportation operators.

Choi Jeongil, Director of Construction and Transportation at Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "This program is a win-win policy that not only reduces transportation costs for residents but also encourages the use of public transit for commuting and contributes to the stability of the bus industry." He urged residents to actively take advantage of the program.

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