Seoul to provide 160,000 won in annual commuting aid to high school seniors from 2028, expanding to all secondary students two years later

Students in Seoul who take public transportation to school could receive up to 160,000 won a year under a plan that begins with high school seniors in 2028 and reaches all middle and high school students by 2030.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is considering a daily weekday subsidy for one morning trip to school by bus or subway. Of roughly 390,000 middle and high school students in Seoul, an estimated 164,000 would qualify if 42% are assumed to commute by public transportation. The projected annual budget is about 26.2 billion won.

The plan would begin with about 67,000 third-year high school students in 2028. It would expand to all high school students, about 192,000 students, in 2029, and to students from the first year of middle school through the final year of high school, about 356,000 students, in 2030. Rather than issue a new transit card, the education office is considering existing platforms such as the Climate Companion Card Plus and T-money. Registered card records during weekday morning school hours could be used to calculate the subsidy.

Elementary students would not be included because long-distance public-transport commuting is considered uncommon among them. The committee also noted that children facing poor commuting conditions generally use school vehicles or other transport arrangements.

The proposal includes annual support of up to 100,000 won per student for non-residential field trips from 2027, covering admission fees, activity fees, vehicle rental and meals. The education office also plans phased support for free early-childhood education for children aged three to five, beginning with standard education costs at private kindergartens in 2027 and expanding after-school and childcare subsidies from 2029.

The policy white paper, based on Superintendent Chung Keun-sik’s pledges, was prepared after gathering views from students, staff, parents and citizens. The education office said it would review feasibility and school conditions before setting implementation details, then share the plan through a public discussion involving students, teachers, parents, citizens and experts.