Gyeonggi Province Launches Pilot Transportation Subsidy Program for Seniors Over 70 in Icheon, Dongducheon, and Yangpyeong…Up to 360,000 Won Annual Refund

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province is piloting a transportation subsidy program targeting seniors aged 70 and over to ease their transportation costs and promote greater use of public transportation.

The program will be first implemented in Icheon City, Dongducheon City, and Yangpyeong County, and will refund fares for city buses, GTX, and other Seoul metropolitan transportation services via local currency or cash, in addition to existing benefits from the G-PASS card, which provides free subway rides for seniors.

The province will refund up to 240,000 won annually in transportation fees for residents aged 70 and older regardless of income or age, and for seniors without a driver's license, an additional incentive will be provided, offering refunds of up to 360,000 won annually.

Seniors wishing to apply for the program can submit in-person applications at administrative welfare centers in each city or county from September 1. Required documents include identification, a G-PASS card (preferential transportation card), a local currency card in the applicant's name, or a copy of a bankbook.

Due to expected high application volume during September, applications will be accepted sequentially according to designated dates based on birth year (birth years ending in 1 or 6—Monday; 2 or 7—Tuesday; 3 or 8—Wednesday; 4 or 9—Thursday; 5 or 0—Friday). From October onward, applications can be submitted regardless of birth year.

Transportation fee refunds will be applied starting from the fourth quarter of 2025 (October–December), and disbursements will begin in the first quarter of 2026 on a quarterly settlement basis. Detailed application procedures are available at administrative welfare centers in each city or county.

The province plans to carefully analyze senior satisfaction levels, required resources, and areas for system improvement during this pilot program to determine the direction for program expansion.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the Metropolitan Transportation Policy Division, stated, "This senior transportation subsidy program that we are implementing is a transportation welfare policy to guarantee mobility for the elderly and promote greater use of public transportation. Going forward, we will continue to pursue transportation subsidy policies that reduce transportation costs for seniors and other transportation-disadvantaged groups while improving their convenience."