“Free Bus Fare for Seniors” ... Changwon Special City to Fully Waive City Bus Fees for Those Aged 75 and Over Starting Next Year
by Song Jonggu
Published 17 Oct.2024 10:06(KST)
From January 1, 2025, Existing Senior Citizens Cannot Use
Transportation Cards, Must Obtain K-Pass Cards
Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam Province will implement full free bus fares for seniors aged 75 and over starting next year to realize transportation welfare by guaranteeing mobility rights for the elderly.
The free bus fare initiative for seniors aged 75 and over will be carried out in connection with the Gyeongnam K-Pass project, where seniors receive a K-Pass card, register as members, use transportation, and then get reimbursed for their transportation expenses.
Currently, seniors can use only Changwon city buses up to 8 times per month, but starting next year, they will be able to use city buses and subways nationwide without any usage limits. Accordingly, the senior transportation welfare card with an 8-time monthly benefit will only be valid until December 31 of this year and will no longer be usable from January 1 of next year.
K-Pass cards can be issued by visiting banks (NongHyup, Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, Industrial Bank) or online through card companies (NongHyup, Kookmin, Samsung, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, Hyundai, BC, Ezzle, K-Bank, IMUPay).
After applying for and receiving the card, seniors must register as members on the K-Pass app or website to be reimbursed for usage fees. Seniors who have difficulty using the internet can receive assistance with membership registration at their local administrative welfare center by bringing the card and a mobile phone, or they can inquire at the Changwon City Bus Operations Division, Changwon City Civil Service Call Center, or administrative welfare centers for guidance.
Lee Jong-deok, Director of the Transportation and Construction Bureau, said, “Please be aware that the existing senior transportation welfare card can only be used until the end of this year,” and added, “We will actively promote the early issuance of K-Pass cards for seniors aged 75 and over so that they can use public transportation for free starting January next year.”
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