Episode Details

In parts of rural South Korea, the future of public transport costs just nine cents. In this episode, we look at the “100-won taxi”—a heavily subsidized ride service created to replace disappearing bus routes in aging, shrinking villages. As younger residents move to cities, elderly people are left isolated, struggling to reach clinics, markets, and community spaces. These ultra-cheap taxis have become a lifeline, restoring mobility, dignity, and social connection—while surprisingly costing the government less than running near-empty buses. It’s a small fare with big implications: what happens when transport policy is redesigned around the needs of the old, not the young?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/11/world/asia/south-korea-100-won-taxis.html