The Seoul Metropolitan Council's Transportation Committee passed a local government ordinance bill to allow subsidies for city and village bus fares for residents age 70 and older. If the bill passes the plenary session, it will take effect within next month.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Transportation Committee on the 16th, the committee held a meeting the day before (the 15th) and passed the bill proposed by Councilor Lee Byeong-yun of the People Power Party representing Dongdaemun.
The crux of the local government ordinance bill is that the city may subsidize part or all of bus fares within the budget for residents age 70 and older who are registered and reside in Seoul and meet the criteria set by the mayor.
It also states that the mayor must establish an annual plan to support transportation costs for seniors, and may build a transportation cost support system and expand necessary facilities so the support program can be carried out smoothly.
Explaining the reason for the proposal, Lee said, "Under the current Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, free-use transportation facilities for seniors are limited to urban rail, which results in disparities in transportation welfare depending on where seniors live."
Lee added, "We aim to ease the transportation cost burden for seniors regardless of where they live and improve convenience in daily mobility to help enhance transportation welfare."
The bill was proposed with support from People Power Party councilors Gwak Hyang-gi, Kim Kyung-hun, Kim Young-ok, Kim Won-jung, Kim Ji-hyang, Nam Chang-jin, Moon Seong-ho, Yoo Man-hee, Yoon Young-hee, Lee Kyung-suk and Lee Seong-bae.
The bill also aligns with Oh Se-hoon's campaign pledges as Seoul mayor. During the 9th nationwide local elections, Mayor Oh pledged to allow free bus use for citizens age 70 and older.
It was also noted that the budget for this would be covered by surplus national subsidies generated by integrating the Climate Companion Card and the K-Pass. According to estimates by the council secretariat, if free bus transit cards are issued under Lee's local government ordinance bill, it will cost about 578.8 billion won over the next five years.
If the local government ordinance bill is approved at the plenary session scheduled for the 24th, it will be sent to the mayor for promulgation. The effective date of the bill is upon promulgation. The current 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council, whose term runs until the end of this month, has a People Power Party majority with 68 seats.