The Pension Future Forum Strongly Supports the Presidential Directive to Review Partial Restrictions on Free Subway Rides During Peak Commuting Hours (April 2, 2026)

(The Pension Future Forum firmly supports the position of the President, who has directed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to devise measures for alleviating peak-hour public transit congestion, including partial restrictions on free subway rides for elderly passengers during commuting hours—

a position that this Forum wholeheartedly endorses.

We further call for this occasion to be used to raise broader issues surrounding the overall operation of the free-ride system — including its age eligibility criteria — which have failed to keep pace with the changes of the times.)

 

President Lee Jae-myung has directed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to develop measures to alleviate peak-hour public transit congestion, including partial restrictions on free subway rides for elderly passengers during commuting hours.

A Cheong Wa Dae official stated on the 2nd that "the President instructed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to take full charge, as (the restriction on free rides for senior citizens) is a policy aimed at easing commute-hour congestion."

The official explained that the President had read a morning newspaper article published that day, headlined "Inter-agency buck-passing over restricting free rides for the elderly during commuting hours continues — will it ultimately amount to a 'voluntary recommendation'?", and

remarked: "It appears the ministries are passing the buck among themselves. I have directed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to take clear charge and handle this matter."

https://n.news.naver.com/article/003/0013862898?sid=100