Gwangju City Launches Initiative to Promote 'Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City has launched an initiative to promote the ‘Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card,’ which allows users to save on transportation costs by walking or cycling distances when using buses or subways.

According to Gwangju City on the 24th, the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card was created in January last year to provide transportation fare discounts to citizens who use public transportation by walking or cycling. When using buses or subways, mileage worth up to 20% of the transportation fare (up to 11,000 KRW per month) is awarded proportionally to the distance traveled by walking or cycling.

Including an additional 10-20% discount offered by each card company, users can save up to 40% on public transportation costs.

In the Gwangju area, it has been identified that more than 3,500 people used the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card last year, more than double the initial target of 1,600 subscribers.

To expand the use of the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card this year, Gwangju City plans to attach promotional materials on city buses, universities, and social welfare facilities, and strengthen promotion through announcements inside city buses.

Meanwhile, anyone aged 18 or older with an address in Gwangju City can apply for the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card, and card usage and mileage accumulation can be done anywhere nationwide regardless of region.

Applicants must first obtain the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card (Shinhan, Woori, Hana). They can apply by visiting the respective bank or through the online card issuance application site, the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card homepage.

Additionally, mileage is further supported for youth aged 19 to 34 who are from low-income households or basic livelihood security recipients, and mileage is doubled when fine dust emergency reduction measures are issued.

To accumulate mileage, users must use the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card and the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card app simultaneously at least 15 times per month. When departing from home, users press the start button on the app to register usage, then after using public transportation and arriving at their destination, they press the arrival button on the app to register the usage record and earn mileage.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, users of the Metropolitan Discount Transportation Card saved an average of 12,756 KRW per month, which is 19.4% of their public transportation expenses.

Son Doo-young, head of the city’s Public Transportation Division, said, “Since this program offers the dual benefits of transportation fare discounts and health improvement, we hope many citizens will apply and enjoy the benefits of reduced transportation costs.”