Incheon Extends Toll Subsidies for Yeongjong Residents by Three Years

Incheon Metropolitan City will extend its toll subsidy policy for Yeongjong Island residents by three years, while also expanding eligibility to include users of long-term rental and leased vehicles who were previously excluded from the program.

The partial amendment to the Incheon Metropolitan City Ordinance on Airport Expressway and Incheon Bridge Toll Support, proposed by Incheon City Councilor Shin Seong-young, passed the city council plenary session on Tuesday. The amendment had already cleared the Construction and Transportation Committee review on January 2.

Under the revision, the toll subsidy program originally set to expire at the end of this year will be extended through December 31, 2028. Vehicles under long-term lease contracts of 12 months or more with residents as the contracting party are now newly included in the support program.

Previously, only "resident-owned vehicles" were eligible for subsidies, creating equity concerns as residents using rental or leased vehicles could not receive benefits. The amendment ensures transportation rights for actual residents regardless of vehicle ownership type.

The discount system will also change. The dual system of discount cards and Hi-pass cards will be unified into a Hi-pass-only system. Existing discount cards will remain valid only until March 31 next year.

"This will help distribute the rapid changes in traffic patterns following the opening of the Third Mainland Bridge and flexibly respond to changing transportation conditions," said Jang Cheol-bae, director of the city's Transportation Bureau. "We will continue to expand the road network and public transportation infrastructure to improve residential conditions and revitalize the local economy."