Incheon To Offer Free City Bus Rides For Seniors Starting In Second Half of 2026
The Incheon Metropolitan Government will introduce free city bus rides for residents aged 75 and older beginning in the second half of this year. The city plans to replace the existing senior subway free-pass card with a new “i-Silver Pass,” allowing eligible users to ride both subways and city buses for free with a single card. About 220,000 seniors are expected to benefit, with the full project budget of 17 billion won to be covered by the city.
Incheon Expands ‘1,000 Won Culture Ticket’ Program
Incheon Metropolitan City will expand its “1,000-won Culture Ticket” program this year, allowing residents to enjoy cultural performances for just 1,000 won. To mark Family Month in May, the city will offer 3,500 discounted tickets for four performances, including the play “Shear Madness” and a concert by France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes National Orchestra. Ticket reservations will open online on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 2 p.m. on April 14th. The 1,000 won culture ticket program was first introduced in October last year to broaden public access to cultural experiences.
Incheon Launches Initiative To Address Social Isolation
Incheon Metropolitan City will roll out a new initiative aimed at preventing social isolation and strengthening emotional support networks among residents. Through a public call in March, the city selected five districts and eight implementing organizations, with community-based programs set to begin in May. The initiative is part of a pilot project under the newly established “Loneliness Care Bureau,” aiming to help residents build healthier social connections and integrate more naturally into their communities.
Incheon To Pursue Support Measures For Inhyeon-dong Fire Victims & Family
Incheon Metropolitan City is preparing institutional measures to restore the honor of victims of the Inhyeon-dong fire tragedy and support bereaved families. Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with victims’ families on April 10th to discuss plans for memorial projects and restoring the victims’ dignity. The city plans to reflect the families’ input and establish concrete support measures based on a new ordinance for victim assistance.
Incheon Launches Youth-Led Carbon Neutrality Initiative
Incheon Metropolitan City has officially launched a youth-centered carbon neutrality initiative. On April 11, the city held an inauguration ceremony for the “2026 Incheon Carbon Neutrality Youth Supporters” at the main auditorium of the Incheon Institute, officially launching a team of 27 youth activists. This initiative is a citizen-participatory policy jointly promoted by Incheon and the Incheon Carbon Neutrality Research and Support Center. It was established to simultaneously spread awareness of carbon neutrality and drive local action from a youth perspective. The 27 individuals across the eight finalist teams will carry out various action-oriented projects until the end of November.
Incheon To Invest 2.5 Trillion Won In Road Infrastructure In Northwestern Regions
The city of Incheon has decided to invest 2.5 trillion won in a massive expansion of road infrastructure in the relatively underdeveloped northwestern regions of Geomdan, Ganghwa, and Ongjin. First, 16 new roads will be constructed in the northwestern region, including Geomdan New Town, with a budget exceeding 1.6 trillion won. Additionally, in Ganghwa and Ongjin, the Peace Bridge connecting Yeongjong and Sindo is set to open within the year, while a comprehensive road network in Ganghwa is expected to take shape by 2027.
Ongjin-gun Named Outstanding Local Tax Administration Agency
Ongjin-gun has been selected as an outstanding institution in the “2026 Local Tax Revenue Operation Evaluation” organized by Incheon Metropolitan City, receiving an institutional award and securing a 50 million won incentive budget. This marks the county’s first such recognition in a decade since 2016, and holds great significance in that it demonstrates the county’s ability to manage tax administration efficiently while overcoming challenging geographical conditions. Every year, Incheon Metropolitan City evaluates the overall tax administration of 10 counties and districts, assessing factors such as local tax collection performance, settlement of arrears, efforts to improve tax administration, and expansion of non-tax revenue.
Despite facing unfavorable collection conditions due to its unique status as an island region, Ongjin-gun received high marks for improving local tax collection rates and identifying new tax sources to expand revenue.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
