Expansion of Cashless Bus Routes in Seoul Starting March 1
Challenges Expected for Cash-Dependent and Digitally Vulnerable Groups
Some Reduce Bus Use Due to Burden
Kim (35, female), who commutes to Gwanghwamun, mainly takes bus number 150, which is currently piloting the 'cashless bus' system. Kim sometimes feels, upon seeing passengers who only have cash and get flustered before getting off, that "Is it really necessary to go this far?" She said, "The driver explains that you can do a bank transfer, but some passengers don't know how to make the transfer," adding, "Especially elderly passengers often get very confused and don't know what to do."
On the morning of the 24th at the bus terminal in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, buses here have banners stating the expansion of 'cashless buses.' Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@
The number of 'cashless bus' routes, currently operating on 18 lines, will increase to 108 starting from the 1st of next month. The Seoul city government explains that this is to reduce the proportion of cash-using passengers on city buses to below 1% and to decrease safety accidents related to cash boxes. Passengers who mainly use cash or are vulnerable to digitalization are expected to experience considerable inconvenience.
On the 24th, I rode bus number 7720, which will become a 'cashless bus' in a few days, for an hour and a half to observe the passengers' situation. A banner on the front of the bus reads, "Cashless bus starting from March 1." Inside the bus, the cash box has notices saying, "Cashless bus will be implemented from March 1, please prepare your transportation cards in advance," and "Mobile transportation cards can be issued via the QR code inside the vehicle." Passengers were boarding the bus using transportation cards or mobile devices even though the cash box was still present. There was a passenger in their 20s with insufficient balance on their transportation card, but after telling the driver, "I'll quickly recharge and then tap my card," they recharged the amount on their phone within a minute and tapped the card on the boarding terminal.
Those accustomed to using cash or marginalized from digital technology are expected to face difficulties using the cashless bus. This is because it is challenging to immediately find alternative payment methods or recharge via mobile after boarding the bus. Mr. Cheon Myeong-seop (85, male) said, "Since cash is not accepted, elderly people who don't use cards have a hard time." Mr. Jeong (86, male) also shared, "The local government issued transportation cards, so I'm used to using cards, but I was flustered once when I boarded the bus with no card balance and only had large bills in cash."
Cashless bus payment method notices were posted at various bus stops due to the expanded operation of cashless buses. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@
Some citizens said they would reduce their bus usage. Ms. Kim (80, female) stated, "Since there are buses where you can't pay cash at all, I try not to take them these days." Mr. Jeong also said, "It's true that losing the option to pay with cash makes taking the bus more burdensome."
Bus drivers generally responded positively to the expansion policy of 'cashless buses,' but they anticipated some inconvenience for themselves until the system is fully established. This is because passenger assistance and card usage guidance at the site fall on the bus drivers. Bus driver Mr. Ahn (63) said, "There are fewer passengers using cash, so I think the policy direction is right," but added, "There is a policy to give guidance notes to passengers who only have cash to help them do bank transfers, but this might be cumbersome for passengers not familiar with mobile devices." Another driver, Mr. Han (52), also said, "I support cashless buses because I don't have to carry the cash box every day during rush hours, but drivers will have to work hard until the system settles in."
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