President Lee Jae-myung ordered a review of a plan to restrict free public transportation use by older adults during commuting hours.
At a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 24th, the president stated accordingly while receiving a briefing on response measures to rising international oil prices and a crude supply crisis stemming from heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting was convened to comprehensively review response plans in the public institutional sector to prepare for an energy crisis.
Regarding public transportation efficiency measures, the president instructed, "Study a plan to restrict free rides for seniors only during the 'peak time' of an hour or two around commuting hours."
This is interpreted as a measure to reduce congestion caused by passenger concentration during specific hours and to strengthen the efficiency of public transportation operations.
However, the president also voiced concerns about the side effects of implementing the policy.
The president said, "There are older adults who commute to workplaces, so it may not be easy to distinguish them clearly," while emphasizing, "During commuting hours, user numbers surge and congestion is very high, so a concrete review is essential."
Considering the sensitivity of the issue, the president called for close consultation among the relevant ministries. In particular, he asked for the establishment of a detailed guideline that can guarantee older adults' right to mobility while reducing congestion through joint research not only in the land, infrastructure and transport field but also in the health and welfare field.