Which Seoul subway station has the highest share of free rides for seniors? In the first quarter of this year, Jegidong on Line 1 recorded that nearly half of its riders traveled for free.
On the 11th, Seoul Metro analyzed free senior rides in the first quarter of 2026 and found that at Jegidong Station, 680,000 out of 1.44 million total boardings (47.2%) were senior rides. That is three times the overall subway average (15.1%).
Next, Dongmyo Station ranked second (42%), followed by Cheongnyangni Station and Moran Station in third (35.9%). Jongno 3-ga Station was fifth at 32.4%. At the top 10 stations, 3 out of every 10 riders were seniors riding for free.
By number of free riders, Cheongnyangni Station ranked first with about 760,000. Jongno 3-ga Station (730,000), Yeonsinnae Station (710,000), and Jegidong Station (680,000) followed.
By line, Line 1 was by far the highest at 21.6%. That means roughly 1 in 5 riders traveled free as seniors. It was followed by Line 8 at 18.8%, Line 5 at 17.3%, Lines 3 and 7 in the 16% range, and Line 2 was the lowest at 10.6%.
The overall share is also inching up each year. The free senior-ride rate was 14.6% in 2024, 15.0% in 2025, and rose to 15.1% in the first quarter of this year. With the population aging, the share is likely to grow further.
As the senior free-ride rate increases, concern about operating burdens is also rising. Ma Hae-geun, head of sales at Seoul Metro, said, "Free rides for seniors are an essential public service to guarantee mobility for older adults, but as the usage rate continues to climb and concentrates at certain stations and lines, the burden is growing," adding, "For the sustainability of the senior free-ride program, discussions are needed on financial support measures, including national funding."