The Seoul city government and the Korean Senior Citizens Association are discussing raising the age for free subway rides from 65 [1] to 70 [1].
This proposal aims to address the city's mounting transport deficits by aligning fare benefits with the actual travel habits of the elderly. Officials said that subway usage tends to decline as seniors age, while the use of buses typically increases.
Under the proposed plan, the city would redirect the funds saved from the subway age increase to provide partial bus fare subsidies for seniors aged 70 and over [1]. This shift would prioritize the mode of transport most utilized by the older population to ensure continued mobility.
To manage the cost of these subsidies, the city is considering specific eligibility criteria. The current proposal suggests that bus fare refunds would be available for users who ride fewer than 15 times per month [1].
Seoul is working with the Korean Senior Citizens Association to refine the details of the transition. The city government said the goal is to create a sustainable financial model for public transit while maintaining essential support for the elderly population.
“Seoul is discussing raising the free subway ride age from 65 to 70”
This policy shift reflects a broader challenge facing rapidly aging societies in East Asia, where the cost of universal senior benefits is becoming fiscally unsustainable. By pivoting from a blanket subway exemption to a targeted bus subsidy, Seoul is attempting to optimize public spending based on behavioral data—recognizing that the oldest citizens rely more on road transport than rail for daily needs.
