[News Terms] The '10,000 Won Transportation Pass' Highlighted Amid Public Transit Fare Increase

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The '10,000 Won Transportation Pass' is a super-discount public transportation card (ticket) that allows unlimited use of public transportation for just 10,000 won per month.

Last August, the German government began selling the 9-euro ticket (approximately 12,000 won), which allows unlimited use of all public transportation for one month, to alleviate the financial burden on citizens caused by the sharp rise in energy costs and inflation. It is regarded as a successful policy, with 60 million tickets sold in the first month alone.

Citizens are passing through the turnstiles with transportation cards at City Hall Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The 10,000 Won Transportation Pass can be described as a Korean-style '9-euro ticket.' According to a survey by the German government, during the three months of 9-euro ticket sales, 1.8 million tons of carbon were reduced (equivalent to the carbon footprint of 350,000 households), air quality improved by 6%, public transportation usage increased by 20%, and inflation was curbed, resulting in 88% of users expressing satisfaction.

The '10,000 Won Transportation Pass Coalition,' which is campaigning for the introduction of the 10,000 Won Transportation Pass, emphasizes the necessity of its implementation in Korea for reasons including ▲alleviating the economic burden on households amid rising prices and a severe economic crisis ▲reducing carbon emissions in the era of climate crisis, addressing doubts about fuel tax reductions, and providing equitable support ▲improving health through better air quality and resolving issues caused by traffic congestion ▲and following the global trend of gradually implementing free public transportation policies.