Over 330,000 Climate Companion Cards Sold... How Far Does the Service Range Extend?

Seoul City Signs Business Agreements with Incheon, Gimpo, and Recently Gunpo and Gwacheon
Unlimited Transportation Pass at Around 60,000 KRW per Month... Youth Pass Launch Expected in First Half
"Cooperating with Neighboring Local Governments... Benefits for More Metropolitan Citizens"

The popularity of Seoul City's Climate Companion Card continues to soar, with cumulative sales surpassing 330,000 units. Initial criticisms regarding usage restrictions in the Gyeonggi area have recently subsided due to the expansion of individual business agreements between Seoul City and some local governments. Due to the high demand for physical cards causing shortages at some sales points, Seoul City plans to sequentially supply an additional 150,000 physical cards by the 22nd.

According to Seoul City on the 11th, discussions with local governments in the Gyeonggi area are ongoing to expand the service coverage of the Climate Companion Card. So far, besides Incheon and Gimpo, which expressed their intention to participate before the pilot project, Gunpo City and Gwacheon City have decided to join the Climate Companion Card program. In particular, Gwacheon is geographically located at a key point between Seoul and southern Gyeonggi local governments, and it is expected to help improve transportation convenience for residents traveling to Seoul.

On the 26th, one day before the pilot operation of the 'Climate Companion Card,' the unlimited public transportation pass introduced nationwide for the first time by Seoul City, promotional flyers for the Climate Companion Card were posted at Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5 in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The agreement with Gwacheon City, along with the previous agreement with Gunpo City, is significant as it can create a synergy effect for expanding the Climate Companion Card in the southern Gyeonggi region. The Seoul-Gwacheon section is a heavily trafficked route for metropolitan citizens, with Gwacheon’s average daily public transportation users reaching about 20,000. More than half of these users commute between Seoul and Gwacheon.

Through the agreement, both cities have decided to include five subway stations on Line 4 in Gwacheon (Seonbawi, Gyeongma Park, Grand Park, Gwacheon, Government Complex Gwacheon) within the Climate Companion Card service area. They also plan to actively engage in discussions with Korail, the operator of these five stations.

Earlier, Seoul City also signed an agreement with Gunpo City. Gunpo’s average daily public transportation usage is about 149,000 trips, with approximately 32,000 trips (22%) between Seoul and Gunpo. Seoul City and Gunpo City plan to actively negotiate with Korail to enable the use of the Climate Companion Card at seven subway stations on Lines 1 and 4 in Gunpo. These seven stations are operated by Korail, and the specific timing and methods will be discussed through the metropolitan transportation agencies’ working-level council.

Looking at the areas by route, six Seoul city bus lines (5530, 5531, 5623, 540, 541, 542) passing through Gunpo City are already included in the Climate Companion Card service area. Consequently, citizens commuting between the two cities will be able to conveniently use both subway and bus services with the Climate Companion Card. However, the inclusion of metropolitan buses will be reviewed later through consultations with relevant agencies.

Interest among metropolitan citizens is also high. As the nation’s first unlimited transportation pass allowing use of Seoul’s subway, buses, and Ddareungi bike-sharing service for about 60,000 KRW per month, various optional fare plans covering cultural and sports facilities are also being developed. A 'Climate Companion Card' youth pass will be introduced within the first half of the year. This support measure aims to ease the economic burden on youth and encourage active participation in social and economic activities. The target group is youth aged 19 to 34, who will be able to use the Climate Companion Card for about 58,000 KRW per month. Specific details such as implementation timing and application procedures will be announced later. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, "We will do our best to actively cooperate with neighboring local governments wishing to participate in the Climate Companion Card so that more metropolitan citizens can enjoy the unlimited benefits of the Climate Companion Card."