Seoul to offer discounted Climate Cards to young commuters

Social Affairs

Published: 21 Feb. 2024, 15:13 Updated: 22 Feb. 2024, 17:11

Seoul to offer discounted Climate Cards to young commuters

A commuter taps in with Climate Card, the capital's unlimited transit pass, to enter a subway station in downtown Seoul on Jan. 28. [NEWS1]

Seoul will offer its Climate Card at more affordable prices for young commuters starting next Monday.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday, commuters between the ages of 19 and 34 can top up the capital’s unlimited transit pass at either 55,000 won ($41) a month for unlimited subway and bus rides, or 58,000 won, inclusive of the capital’s public bicycles, Ttareungi.

Currently, all commuters pay 62,000 won for unlimited rides on subways and buses or 65,000 won also to use the city's public bicycles.

The cheaper pricing scheme comes as people in their 20s and 30s have accounted for approximately 50 percent of pass purchases.

Young commuters who will benefit from the cheaper option will still need to pay the same as others during the Climate Card scheme’s pilot period, which lasts through June 30.

However, they can apply for reimbursements.

Purchasers who buy and register the card from next Monday through June 30 can apply for reimbursement, receiving as much as 7,000 won per month.

Those who begin using the card on June 30 can receive refunds after using the card for a month through July 29.

Mobile card users will not need to apply for reimbursement. Physical card users can apply for a refund on Tmoney’s website starting in July.

The discounted amount will be returned to users’ bank accounts within 30 days of the application. From July, purchasers can directly top up the monthly payment at discounted prices.

According to the city government, around 430,000 Climate Cards have been sold since its launch on Jan. 27.

It plans to add more benefits for pass users, including discounted use of cultural and sports facilities. Credit and debit cards will also be available for topping up physical Climate Cards within the first half of the year.

Currently, these cards can only be topped up with cash at subway platforms.

The metropolitan government expects around 36 billion won will be additionally spent annually on the discounted Climate Card scheme for young commuters, according to Lee Jin-gu, director of the city’s transportation policy division.

Physical versions of the transit pass can be purchased for 3,000 won in cash from information centers set along subway lines No. 2 to 8 in the capital. Along subway line No. 1, the cards are sold between Seoul Station in downtown Seoul and Cheongnyangni Station in eastern Seoul. They can also be purchased at convenience stores near subway platforms along subway line No. 9, Ui-Sinseol Line and Sillim Line.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]