Market scope note: This article covers resources from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
Many older adults have a medical appointment on the calendar, only to cancel on the day because they have no way to get there. From the moment getting around becomes difficult or driving stops, transportation is directly tied to access to medical care. Fortunately, both Korea and the United States operate mobility support programs for seniors and people with limited mobility. Knowing what is available in advance means your parents can reach the places they need to go, when they need to go there.
🇰🇷 Korea The most familiar benefit is free subway travel. Under Article 26 of the Welfare of Older Persons Act, adults aged 65 and older may ride urban rail systems nationwide at no charge. Obtaining a senior transit card means there is no need to go to a ticket window each time; in Seoul the card is issued through Shinhan Bank, and in Gyeonggi and Gangwon regions through Nonghyup (G-PASS), with applications also accepted at local community centers (주민센터). Buses are not free the way subways are, but starting in 2026 the base K-패스 (K-Pass) senior cashback rate rose from 20% to 30%, and riders who use the service 15 or more times per month can receive a 30% refund on their spending. Seniors who receive basic livelihood benefits or are in the next-lowest income bracket can receive refunds of up to 53%, and the previous limits of 2 uses per day and 60 uses per month were also abolished starting in 2026.
🇰🇷 Korea For seniors who have difficulty using public transit, there are also taxi-based mobility support programs. 행복택시 (Haengbok Taxi, also called 효도택시 Hyodo Taxi), operated mainly in rural and township areas, dispatches a taxi when you call a dedicated call center, with a personal co-pay of around 100 to 1,000 won. Some local governments also run a separate senior-only taxi service for adults aged 80 and older, providing up to 10 rides per month. Because eligibility ages and operating details vary by region, checking with your local community center or visiting 복지로 (Bokjiro, www.bokjiro.go.kr) is the most reliable way to find out what applies in your area.
🇰🇷 Korea For seniors with very significant mobility limitations, 특별교통수단 (Special Transportation, also known as 장애인 콜택시 disability call-taxi) is another option to consider. These vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts and securing fixtures; the primary users are people with severe mobility disabilities who cannot use buses or subways, but depending on local ordinances some municipalities include seniors with serious mobility difficulties among eligible users. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been working to build a nationwide integrated reservation system for mobility support centers, with the goal of allowing anyone who registers once to use special transportation anywhere in the country.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, mobility support is not a single program but several systems operating in parallel. One is the network of local senior services established under the Older Americans Act (OAA). Adults aged 60 and older can access mobility support services through their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) regardless of income, and there are more than 600 AAAs operating nationwide. Because the services available and their availability differ by area, the first step is to contact Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) or call 211 to find your nearest AAA.
🇺🇸 U.S. Seniors enrolled in Medicaid may apply for NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation). Under federal regulation 42 CFR 431.53, each state Medicaid program is required to provide this service, which covers transportation to hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical facilities when a beneficiary has no other means of getting there. The service may be provided in the form of a dedicated van, a transportation voucher, or a rideshare arrangement. To apply, contact the number on the back of your Medicaid plan card or reach out to your state Medicaid office. Keep in mind that standard Original Medicare does not generally cover routine transportation costs.
🇺🇸 U.S. For seniors who cannot use fixed-route public transit due to a disability or mobility limitation, ADA paratransit service is available. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), every public transit agency that operates fixed-route bus service is required to provide curb-to-curb or door-to-door pickup service for passengers along those routes who are unable to use them. To access this service, submit an ADA paratransit application to your local transit agency and go through an eligibility determination. Once approved, it can serve as a relatively reliable and affordable mode of transportation.
Sources: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — 4th Mobility Convenience Promotion Plan for Transportation-Disadvantaged Persons; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — K-패스 2026 Reform Announcement; 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 (easylaw.go.kr) — Welfare of Older Persons Act Article 26 and Act on Promotion of the Mobility Convenience of the Transportation Disadvantaged; Gyeongbuk Ilbo (May 2026) — Chilgok County Senior Haengbok Taxi; U.S. Administration for Community Living — Older Americans Act; 42 CFR 431.53 (federal NEMT regulation); Grantsforseniors.org (May 2026) — Overview of Senior Transportation Support.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.