Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, announces mobility welfare pledges for the June 3 local elections at the National Assembly on the 21st. [Photo=Yonhap]
South Korea’s People Power Party said it will push to make city buses free in part for seniors ages 70 and older, and to introduce a locally tailored ride-sharing system dubbed “rural Uber” in areas with few or no taxis. The party also plans to expand transit rebates by raising K-Pass refund rates.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok announced the mobility welfare package at the National Assembly on the 21st, describing mobility as a universal right and pledging to ensure seniors and young people are not left out.
The party’s first priority is a city-bus free-fare policy for those 70 and older. Jang said pilot programs would begin next year in regions where People Power Party candidates win local executive posts in the upcoming local elections, with a later expansion nationwide. He said the central government would provide support “at a reasonable level” so local governments are not left to shoulder the costs alone.
Based on population estimates, the party said nationwide adoption would require about 530 billion won. It said limiting free rides during commuting hours could ease fiscal pressure and crowding, while partial national funding would help keep the burden on local governments manageable.
Policy chief Jeong Jeom-sik cited Daejeon, which has offered free city buses to residents 70 and older since September 2023. He said the city has spent an additional 13.3 billion won a year beyond its existing bus-deficit subsidies, an increase of about 11% that he described as within a local government’s capacity.
The “rural Uber” plan would build a platform with participation from youth startups and local mobility firms, allowing qualified residents to use their private vehicles to provide ride-sharing services. The party said it would target areas with “transportation gaps” where bus or taxi service is lacking, aiming to improve mobility for people with limited transportation options, including older adults and pregnant women.
Jang said the party would require a priority-call function for vulnerable riders and set rules covering safety, security and fares. He said it would seek revisions to the Passenger Transport Service Act and push to designate special regulatory zones for mobility services in transportation-gap areas.
The party also said it will raise K-Pass refund rates, focusing on young people. It aims to lift the maximum refund rate from the current 20% (basic) and 30% (youth) to 30% and 50%, respectively. It also plans to expand refund rates to as high as 83% for low-income young people and 75% for households with multiple children, saying the changes would boost real income while helping cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok announced the mobility welfare package at the National Assembly on the 21st, describing mobility as a universal right and pledging to ensure seniors and young people are not left out.
The party’s first priority is a city-bus free-fare policy for those 70 and older. Jang said pilot programs would begin next year in regions where People Power Party candidates win local executive posts in the upcoming local elections, with a later expansion nationwide. He said the central government would provide support “at a reasonable level” so local governments are not left to shoulder the costs alone.
Based on population estimates, the party said nationwide adoption would require about 530 billion won. It said limiting free rides during commuting hours could ease fiscal pressure and crowding, while partial national funding would help keep the burden on local governments manageable.
Policy chief Jeong Jeom-sik cited Daejeon, which has offered free city buses to residents 70 and older since September 2023. He said the city has spent an additional 13.3 billion won a year beyond its existing bus-deficit subsidies, an increase of about 11% that he described as within a local government’s capacity.
The “rural Uber” plan would build a platform with participation from youth startups and local mobility firms, allowing qualified residents to use their private vehicles to provide ride-sharing services. The party said it would target areas with “transportation gaps” where bus or taxi service is lacking, aiming to improve mobility for people with limited transportation options, including older adults and pregnant women.
Jang said the party would require a priority-call function for vulnerable riders and set rules covering safety, security and fares. He said it would seek revisions to the Passenger Transport Service Act and push to designate special regulatory zones for mobility services in transportation-gap areas.
The party also said it will raise K-Pass refund rates, focusing on young people. It aims to lift the maximum refund rate from the current 20% (basic) and 30% (youth) to 30% and 50%, respectively. It also plans to expand refund rates to as high as 83% for low-income young people and 75% for households with multiple children, saying the changes would boost real income while helping cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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