A deep dive into Seoul's Climate Card transportation pass

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A deep dive into Seoul's Climate Card transportation pass

Published: 05 Aug. 2024, 15:58 Updated: 07 Aug. 2024, 14:05

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

A commuter taps the Climate Card to enter the paid area of City Hall Station in Jung District, central Seoul, on Jan. 29, when the pilot period for the scheme began. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

After its successful pilot launch in January, Seoul’s Climate Card officially rolled out last month, now upgraded with more options for short-term travelers.

The city’s prepaid transit pass, which offers unlimited rides on almost all subway lines, buses and even public bicycles in Seoul, has been in high demand since its testing period. One million passes were sold in just 70 days since the scheme began.

"I have been using the Climate Card since February," said a 23-year-old university student in Seodaemun District, western Seoul.

"Transportation fees have always been a big stress for me as a student, but thanks to the pass, I worry less about the cost and have been traveling more, even on weekends."

During the pilot period, an average of 540,000 commuters used the card on weekdays.

The K-pass explained: All you need to know about Korea's latest transit card

Last month, more types of transit passes have been added to the program to make it more tourist-friendly. The Climate Card is now available in one-day, two-day, three-day, five-day and seven-day versions.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday, around 43,000 short-term Climate Cards were used by both tourists and locals last month.

The most popular one was the three-day version, which offers unlimited rides on subways and buses for 10,000 won ($7.3). These passes were primarily used at popular tourist destinations, such as Myeong-dong Station in central Seoul and Hongik University Station in western Seoul.

A commuter tops up his Climate Card at Isu Station on subway line No. 4 on Monday. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

However, because the pass only covers public transportation, mainly within Seoul, commuters often ask where they can and cannot use it.

"I use the Climate Card since I usually stay in Seoul," said a resident of Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. "But last week, I realized I could not use the pass when transferring to the Shinbundang Line."

The Climate Card covers almost all public transportation in Seoul, with some exceptions, such as the private Shinbundang Line and airport buses.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Climate Card based on information provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Q. Who can get the Climate Card?

A. Anyone — locals and foreigners — who wants to travel on buses and subways in the city can use the Climate Card. There are no restrictions on age or residency.

Where can you get it?

Mobile versions of the Climate Card are available on the Tmoney application, which is only available to Android users. No payment is required for the mobile version.

Those purchasing physical versions can buy them for 3,000 won at information centers located on platforms of subway lines No. 1 through 8. Cash is required for these purchases. They can also be found at convenience stores — GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and E-Mart 24 — near subway stations in Seoul, which accept payment by card.

For international travelers, physical cards can also be found at Seoul Tourism Plaza in Jongno District, central Seoul, and the Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center.

What are the types and price schemes?

The 30-day pass costs 65,000 won and covers buses, subways and public bicycles, or Ttareungi. Excluding public bicycles, it costs 62,000 won. A one-day pass costs 5,000 won, a two-day pass 8,000 won, a three-day pass 10,000 won, a five-day pass 15,000 won and a seven-day pass 20,000 won. Short-term passes cover only buses and subways.

Those aged between 19 and 39 are eligible for a more affordable price scheme: 58,000 won, including public bicycles, and 55,000 won, excluding the bicycles. Users must register their card on the Tmoney website and verify their age every six months. Foreigners with resident numbers are also eligible for the discounted price scheme.

Those already using the 30-day Climate Card can switch to short-term options when they top up after the pass expires.

Climate Card for tourists featuring Seoul's mascot Hechi [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

How can commuters top up the pass?

Mobile versions can be topped up on phones through wire transfers or by registering their card on the Tmoney application. However, the cards — whether credit or debit — must have been issued within Korea. Physical versions can be topped up through reload machines on subway platforms on lines No.1 through 9, Ui-Sinseol Line and Sillim Line, which accept both cash and cards. Samsung Pay is also accepted. However, only one reload machine accepts cards per subway station.

These machines also allow users to top up monthly and short-term passes. Short-term passes can be reloaded after their period of use expires, and monthly passes can be topped up before they expire, automatically adding a month after the expiration date. However, the pass cannot be changed to a different price scheme that includes or excludes public bicycles. Monthly pass users can reset their date of use and the inclusion of public bicycles if they top up after the expiration date.

What is the purpose of the Climate Card, and what are its benefits?

The Climate Card initiative aims to respond to escalating climate issues by encouraging the use of public transportation and minimizing transportation costs for people. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a commuter saved an average of 30,000 won monthly from its pilot launch on Jan. 26 through May by using the Climate Card.

Between February and May, increased use of the transit pass reduced the use of about 100,000 cars in the city, equivalent to cutting 9,270 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

What modes of transportation does it cover?

The Climate Card covers buses, subways and public bicycles, as well as the auto-driving bus A01 that travels between Gyeongbok Palace and the Blue House.

What subway lines and buses does it cover?

The transit pass covers Seoul subway lines No. 1 through 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, Sillim Line, Gyeongui Jungang Line, Suinbundang Line, Gyeongchun Line, Airport Railroad Line and the Gimpo Goldline. The Shinbundang Line, which connects the Gangnam area to Seongnam in Gyeonggi, is excluded from the scheme.

The pass covers nearly all buses traveling in Seoul, including village buses registered to the city. Airport buses and buses registered outside the city are excluded.

How can commuters transfer to other subway lines excluded from the Climate Card’s coverage?

For instance, those who need to transfer from Gangnam Station on line No. 2, which is covered by the Climate Card, to the Shinbundang Line, which is not included in the scheme, should exit the platform on line No. 2 and re-enter with another transportation pass to transfer to the Shinbundang Line. Commuters can otherwise pay additional fees to the metro employees stationed at the exit area.

Those who tag the Climate Card from a subway station in Seoul and exit through a subway station in Gyeonggi or Incheon should also pay additional costs to the metro employee before exiting.

What other benefits does it have besides transportation?

Climate Card holders, including those with short-term passes, can purchase admission tickets to Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, Seoul Botanic Park in Gangseo District, western Seoul, and Seoul Science Center in Nowon District, northern Seoul, at a 50 percent discount.

Tickets to Korean National Ballet performances are discounted by 10 percent. Tickets for the immersive art exhibition Theatre des Lumieres are discounted by 30 percent, including one accompanying visitor, through Nov. 24, and 20 percent for the musical “The Painters.”

The city government plans to expand the benefits for Climate Card holders.

What neighboring cities are expected to be covered by the Climate Card?

Seven localities have announced that they are joining the scheme, including Incheon, Gyeonggi’s Gimpo, Gunpo, Gwacheon, Goyang, Namyangju and Guri. The scheme expanded to the Gimpo Goldline to Gimpo in March. In the second half of the year, the pass will also be extended to stations in Goyang on subway line No. 3.

Will there be more versions of it?

The city government plans to launch credit and debit cards that include the Climate Card function in November. These cards will not require commuters to top up their passes every month but will automatically be charged with their card bills.

Update, Aug. 7: Added subway lines covered by the Climate Card.

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