• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2022

Recently, controversy has been a growing over senior ride-free programs that provide free rides on the subway for those aged 65 or older. In this study, we compare and analyze changes in awareness levels about senior ride-free programs over the past ten years, targeting local government officials in Busan and Gimhae. Busan and Gimhae support an operational deficit of the Busan-Gimhae light rail system, which is the only subway that does not permit senior citizens to ride for free in South Korea. This study traces changes in the level of awareness of local government officials and presents administrative and policy recommendations. We conducted surveys in September of 2011 and April of 2021, finding that the level of awareness clearly differed before and after the opening of the Busan-Gimhae light rail system. We found that positive and negative responses arrived at similar percentages as time passed. Additionally, we found that the percentage of positive statements decreased over time if respondents did not have transportation-related work experience. Also, over time, we found that examining alternatives took priority as opposed to maintaining the current senior ride-free program.