Seoul moves to raise subway free-ride age to 70, include bus access

An elderly passenger passes through a subway turnstile into Jonggak Station on Seoul Metro Line 1, Monday. Yonhap

Public transportation passengers aged 65 and older can ride the subway for free, but that age may soon be raised to 70. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it will move forward with a public hearing on a proposed plan to raise the age threshold, while expanding transportation support for older residents.

City officials said they received an official request from the Korean Seoul Senior Citizens Association earlier in the day to jointly host a public forum on senior transportation welfare policies.

The city plans to accept the proposal and organize a hearing that allows broader citizen participation. Details on the schedule and venue will be announced on the city’s website.

The plan comes as the city pushes to adjust the current free ride system, which grants unlimited free access to all residents aged 65 and older under the Welfare of Older Persons Act. Making the change was a key pledge by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in his recent reelection campaign earlier this month.

The move follows a June 19 meeting between Oh and the association’s leadership, where both sides discussed adjusting the free subway eligibility age and introducing bus fare support for older passengers.

Under the current Welfare of Older Persons Act, those aged 65 and older can ride the subway free of charge. However, critics have long pointed out that the benefit is uneven, particularly for older adults living farther from subway stations or relying more on buses.

The city is considering raising the free subway age to 70 and redirecting the resulting savings to subsidize bus fares for people aged 70 and older. Officials say the proposal reflects changing perceptions of aging and increased economic activity among older Koreans.

The city has also faced mounting financial pressure from the free subway program, as the number of eligible users continues to grow due to rapid population aging.

Meanwhile, a related ordinance to expand transportation subsidies to buses passed the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s transportation committee last week and awaits a final vote. The bill would allow the city to subsidize bus fares for eligible residents aged 70 and older within budget limits.