Daejeon, South Korea – Daejeon City is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the transportation challenges faced by students in rural areas. Starting from March 2025, the city will provide a “1,000 won school taxi” service, offering eligible middle and high school students up to 22 subsidized taxi rides per month.

The new program, an expansion of the existing public taxi service, is designed to assist students living in areas with limited public transportation options and long distances to school. To qualify for the service, students must meet specific criteria such as their commuting distance, frequency of transfers, and walking distance to bus stops.

By providing affordable and convenient transportation, Daejeon City aims to enhance student safety and punctuality, thereby improving the overall quality of education in rural areas. Additionally, the program is expected to boost the attractiveness of rural communities, contributing to regional development and mitigating the effects of population decline.

“We believe that this initiative will make a significant difference in the lives of students living in transportation-disadvantaged areas,” said Choi Jong-mun, Director of Daejeon City’s Transportation Bureau. “By providing reliable and affordable transportation options, we hope to improve the quality of life for residents in these communities and encourage more people to stay in the region.”

The city plans to fund the program with a newly secured national grant specifically allocated for supporting regions experiencing population decline. Daejeon City will carefully monitor the program's effectiveness and consider expanding it to serve an even larger population.