Seoul's Jongno District will subsidize residents up to 240,000 won annually for city bus and village bus fares starting in October. However, some age groups will not be eligible for the subsidy.
Jongno District announced on the 27th that it will implement the "bus transportation subsidy program" starting in October. Residents using city and village buses throughout Seoul will be able to receive the subsidy.
The eligibility criteria and maximum quarterly subsidy amounts are ▲ 20,000 won for children aged 6-12 ▲ 40,000 won for teenagers aged 13-18 ▲ 60,000 won for those aged 19-39 ▲ 60,000 won for seniors aged 65 and over. Annually, residents will receive between 80,000 won and 240,000 won.
The subsidy will be reimbursed quarterly by reconciling the transportation card usage records and transferring the funds to residents' bank accounts. Applications can be made starting on the 1st of next month at local community centers or at the dedicated website (jongnobus.kr) with a transportation card, identification, and a bank account copy.
However, residents cannot receive subsidies in conjunction with the government's ongoing public transportation fare reimbursement program "K-Pass" or Seoul's unlimited public transportation pass "Climate Companion Card."
The first distribution of the subsidy will take place in late December. This amount will cover usage from October to November this year. Subsequently, payments will be made every March, June, September, and December.
Jung Mun-hyeon, the mayor of Jongno District, said, "The freedom of movement is a fundamental right of residents, and buses are a public good that everyone should enjoy," adding, "This program will alleviate the economic burden on residents."