[앵커]
From the end of June, Daegu City will operate a system that allows citizens aged 70 or older to use city buses for free.
This is the first attempt among metropolitan organizations to realize welfare for the elderly using their own budget.
This is reporter Lee Yoon-jae’s report.
[기사]
A grandfather in his 70s sitting at the bus stop.
When the bus you’ve been waiting for arrives, swipe your card over the terminal to get on.
In Daegu, from June 28, you will no longer be able to see the elderly paying the fare and riding the bus.
This is because the policy of using city buses free of charge for seniors aged 70 or over is being implemented.
[윤종철 / 대구 남산동 : 요금 내고 버스 탔는데 그것도 왔다 갔다 하니까 상당히 많이 (들더라고요.) 요금 없이 해주면 참 좋은 거라고 생각합니다.]
The share of transportation in Daegu is 17% for buses and 8% for urban rail, so there are many more bus users.
In order to reduce the burden of transport costs for the elderly, it was decided that it was necessary to use free buses in addition to the urban railway.
At the same time, the standard for free journeys on urban railways is being raised from the current age of 65 to 70.
It is intended to reduce the loss of free rides on urban railways, which amounts to more than 43 billion won a year, and to balance with city buses.
In this way, the budget that can be saved in 15 billion has been won.
On the contrary, it is estimated that 35 billion won per year will be needed if the city buses start driving for free.
Daegu City plans to use its own budget without the support of the central government.
[황순조 / 대구시 기획조정실장 : 대구시의 예산 규모로 볼 때는 200억 원은 충분히 감내할 수 있는 수준이라고 보고 있고요. 좀 더 빡빡하고 강도 높은 지출 구조조정을 하고 있습니다. 복지를 하기 위해서 지방채를 발행하거나 하는 일은 전혀 없고요.]
However, the elderly between the ages of 65 and 70 are protesting against concerns that they may suddenly pay urban train fares.
Daegu City plans to make a final decision by March after additional discussions on the plan to gradually raise the city railway’s free travel age by one year and the plan to adjust it to 70 immediately.
This is Lee Yoon-jae’s YTN.
YTN Yoonjae Lee (lyj1025@ytn.co.kr)
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