Three Metropolitan Area Local Governments Discuss Long-Term Integration of Public Transportation Cards

Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon City have announced their intention to achieve long-term integration of public transportation discount passes (cards). Unlike 'The Gyeonggi Pass' (Gyeonggi Province) and 'Incheon I-Pass' (Incheon City), which are based on the refund-type 'K-Pass' introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul City has launched the 'Climate Companion Card' in the form of a commuter pass, raising concerns that users may experience confusion. In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that it will support smooth negotiations among local governments through the Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee (DAEGWANGWI).

Sang-woo Park, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (second from the left), is speaking at a joint press briefing on public transportation support projects held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. From left to right in the photo are Dong-yeon Kim, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Sang-woo Park, Minister; Se-hoon Oh, Mayor of Seoul; and Jung-bok Yoo, Mayor of Incheon. / Photo by Yong-jun Jo jun21@

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said at a joint press briefing on public transportation support projects held at the Korea Press Center, "Although it may be physically difficult immediately, I believe integration (with Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City) is possible in the long term."

He added, "Each individual has a fixed pattern and frequency of public transportation use, so they can choose the most advantageous option. I do not agree that there will be confusion."

Mayor Oh cited the fully integrated 'transfer discount system' as an example, explaining, "When this system first started, each local government had different interests, but eventually, after about five years, an integrated system has been operating."

Regarding this, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon said, "There is some regret that closer consultations between neighboring areas could have been made," and added, "Complete integration of the three cities and provinces will not be easy." Governor Kim had previously expressed disappointment when Seoul announced the launch plan for the Climate Companion Card.

However, Governor Kim said, "I think each local government has promoted the project according to its characteristics. I don't think it's bad," explaining, "Gyeonggi Province created The Gyeonggi Pass considering its wide area and the more diverse transportation options." It covers the Shinbundang Line and the GTX (Great Train Express) A Line, making it different from Seoul.

He added, "We will strive to improve transportation convenience for citizens and residents and reduce private car demand through consultations between the government and local governments."

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok also emphasized the need to create an integrated system through joint research among local governments. Mayor Yoo said, "For now, since systems and conditions differ, it was inevitable to proceed regionally, but the ideal scenario is for the three local governments to implement policies under the same conditions to reduce confusion."

The Gyeonggi Pass and Incheon I-Pass are based on the K-Pass, which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to launch early in May, providing additional benefits to residents. They treat public transportation use exceeding the K-Pass monthly accumulation limit of 60 rides as unlimited and expanded the youth age range from 34 to 39 years old. Additionally, benefits such as increased refund benefits for seniors aged 65 and over (Incheon) have been added according to regional conditions.

The Climate Companion Card, which has the nature of a commuter pass, allows unlimited use of city public transportation for about 60,000 KRW per month. It will be implemented from the 27th of this month. Including the public bike service Ddareungi, the cost is 65,000 KRW, and excluding it, 62,000 KRW.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport emphasized that offering various options is preferable and stated that they will provide prior guidance to prevent customer confusion.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo said, "Regions and individuals have diverse public transportation usage patterns. It is appropriate to gradually upgrade according to residents' patterns," adding, "DAEGWANGWI will facilitate negotiations among local governments through institutional arrangements so that residents can travel comfortably."