Climate Card expands to include the Gimpo Goldline
Published: 18 Mar. 2024, 15:13
Updated: 18 Mar. 2024, 21:08
- CHO JUNG-WOO
- [email protected]
Commuters traveling along the Gimpo Goldline will be able to use the capital’s unlimited transit pass starting March 30.
Climate Card users were previously only allowed to use the pass when using the subway line from Seoul, but now they can also use it when departing from Gimpo.
The expansion comes about three months after the neighboring locality agreed to join Seoul’s transportation scheme, marking the first official expansion of the transit pass to cover an area outside of the capital.
“The expansion of the Climate Card’s coverage to the Gimpo Goldline is a model for intercity transportation development that could reduce the economic burden of residents living in the greater Seoul area,” said Yoon Jong-jang, director of the city’s transportation bureau.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday said that it would continue pursuing talks with other localities that want to join the scheme to ensure that more commuters can benefit from the transit pass.
Besides Gimpo, Incheon, Guri and Gwacheon have agreed to participate in the capital’s unlimited transit pass scheme.
Climate Cards will still be offered at the same price scheme despite its service expansion, the city government said.
Users can top up their cards at subway platforms, paying either 62,000 won ($47) for unlimited rides on subways and buses or 65,000 won to also use the capital’s public bicycles, known as Ttareungi. The same passes are also priced at 55,000 won or 58,000 won a month for young commuters aged between 19 and 34.
The monthly fees can only be paid with cash at card top-up machines located inside subway stations along lines No. 1 through 9, the Ui-Sinseol Line and the Sillim Line.
Android users can immediately top up and use the service on the Mobile Tmoney application.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in the early stage of service expansion, physical cards will also be distributed at stations that connect to the Gimpo Goldline, such as the Gimpo International Airport Station.
Buying a physical card entails a cost of 3,000 won that is not included in the monthly fee. The cards are sold at information centers at subway stations along lines No. 1 to 8.
The expansion of the Climate Card's coverage will additionally benefit Gimpo residents during commuting peak times as the pass will also be valid for the so-called Seoul Companion Bus. Such buses have been operating since August last year to alleviate overcrowding along the Gimpo Goldline during morning rush hours.
Since Saturday, Climate Card users are also able to use borrow public bicycles longer periods of time during a single rental session.
Previously, Climate Card users received only an hour-long pass to ride a Ttareungi bicycle, requiring them to start a new rental session if they wanted to ride a bicycle for more than an hour. Now, all riders are issued two-hour passes if they use a Climate Card.
The Climate Card is currently undergoing a pilot period before its official launch in July. The transit pass will also be valid for intercity buses traveling from the capital to other neighboring cities, including Incheon and Gimpo, as early as April.
BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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