The Seoul Metropolitan Government, which is pursuing a plan to raise the age for free public transit from the current 65 to 70 and include buses—not just subways—in the program, has secured the legal basis for providing bus fare subsidies.

In a plenary session held this afternoon, the Seoul Metropolitan Council passed the "Ordinance on Transportation Expense Support for the Elderly in Seoul," proposed by Council Member Lee Byung-yoon (People Power Party, Dongdaemun 1), with 69 votes in favor, 1 against, and 5 abstentions out of 75 total members present.

The ordinance allows the city to provide partial or full support for city bus and village bus fares to residents aged 70 or older who are registered in Seoul and meet the criteria set by the Mayor of Seoul.

With the passage of this ordinance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has established the legal framework to support free bus rides for the elderly.

The specific scope and methods of the support will be determined by the city at a later date.

Unlike the subway system, Seoul has not previously provided support for free bus rides for the elderly. The city is currently reviewing a plan to include buses in the support program while raising the age threshold for free subway rides from 65 to 70.

(Photo: Yonhap News)