An ordinance providing free bus rides on city and town buses for Seoul residents aged 70 and older has passed the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to implement the free transit program as early as the first half of next year, following a process of gathering public opinion through hearings.

To secure funding, the city plans to pursue a measure that raises the age for free subway rides from the current 65 to 70, offsetting the costs of expanding the free bus benefit.