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As fares for various types of public transportation, such as subways and city buses, have risen for the first time in eight years, the free ride system for the elderly over 65 is emerging as a hot potato again.
A plan to raise the free-riding age is also being considered.
Jang Sun-yi is a reporter.
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fire was opened by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
At a New Year's press conference on the 30th, Mayor Oh requested that the government support the cost of free transportation.
The next day, People's Power Ho-young Joo also expressed sympathy.
Mayor Oh continued on Facebook today (3rd), saying, "In a rapidly aging society, there is a more fundamental problem at the base." can't lose," he said.
At the same time, he emphasized, “In order to reduce the pain that citizens will experience due to soaring transportation fares, the Ministry of Information and Communication should support even a portion of the loss of free rides.”
In order to support the loss, Mayor Oh said, "We will keep all possibilities open and discuss with civil society, the National Assembly and the government to set a desirable range of reductions by age, income class, and time of use."
Regarding the reorganization of the fare system, he emphasized, “We have started discussions with the senior citizens’ association from the beginning of the year,” and “we will create a sustainable public transportation system while respecting the elderly generation.”
Yesterday, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo announced on his Facebook page that he was "considering a plan to raise the subway free ride age from 65 to 70."
In addition, the government and the ruling party have also decided to combine measures to compensate for the deficit of local governments and raise the free ride age.
(Video editing: Lee Sang-min)