Seocho-gu residents aged 65 and older can pre-register starting Thursday for the new senior transportation support project, which refunds up to 60,000 won per quarter — and up to 240,000 won annually — for Seoul city and village bus fares used from Nov. 1.
"We will expand access to medical care, welfare and leisure by guaranteeing seniors' right to mobility, supporting a vibrant life in old age," said Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Sung-su.
Seocho-gu is launching a new senior transportation support project to help residents aged 65 and older cover the cost of everyday travel, adding to its existing free public bus services for seniors.
The district said pre-registration for the project opens Thursday, with the aim of easing the financial burden of transportation for older residents and encouraging their participation in social activities.
Residents aged 65 or older who are registered in Seocho-gu are eligible. Those who use Seoul city or village buses can receive refunds of up to 60,000 won ($44) per quarter — and up to 240,000 won per year — for fares actually paid.
The project was developed in response to feedback gathered directly from residents at community engagement events. By reimbursing actual bus fares in line with seniors' daily travel patterns, the district said it hopes to ease the mobility burden for older residents in areas such as Umyeon-dong and Naegok-dong, which have relatively limited access to subway stations.
Refunds will apply to Seoul city and village bus trips taken from Nov. 1. Fares used in November will be processed and paid out by the end of December. After that, usage will be tallied every three months, with refunds deposited directly into applicants' bank accounts in March, June, September and December.
Applications can be submitted online or in person. To apply online, residents must visit the dedicated senior transportation support portal, create an account, and register their bank account number and Seoul senior transit card number.
For seniors less comfortable with online applications, in-person registration is available at each neighborhood community center. Applicants should bring their ID, senior transit card and a bank passbook in their name. For seniors with mobility difficulties, a family member or other authorized representative may apply on their behalf. For further details, residents can contact the district call center, the Seocho-gu Senior Welfare Division or their local community center.
The district currently operates 12 free public circular buses — including its filial-piety and culture bus lines — running a combined 76 trips per day, the largest such operation among Seoul's autonomous districts. The buses connect local welfare centers, libraries and sports facilities, and last year the district became the first in the country to introduce a high-precision real-time location service for its public buses.
With the addition of the new senior transportation support project, the district said its coverage will now extend to everyday trips to hospitals, welfare centers and markets, completing a comprehensive senior transportation welfare network.
"It is deeply meaningful to fulfill the promise I made to seniors on Parents' Day, now during October — Senior Month," District Mayor Jeon said. "On top of the existing filial-piety and culture buses, we will continue to expand practical, everyday welfare policies that seniors can truly feel in their daily lives."
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