Seoul City Launches 'Youth Climate Companion Card' Priced Around 50,000 Won for Ages 19-34

Discount Benefits from the 26th... 12% Off from the Existing 60,000 Won Range
Post-Reimbursement Method... Retroactive After Pilot Project and Main Card Launch
Considering Expansion of Additional Benefits Such as Use of Cultural and Sports Facilities

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a Climate Companion Card for youth. It plans to apply a discount of around 12% for young people aged 19 to 34, expecting an annual saving of about 500,000 KRW for those who spend approximately 100,000 KRW per month on transportation. Seoul is also discussing ways to provide various additional benefits for using cultural and sports facilities.

On the 21st, Seoul announced that starting from the 26th, it will newly apply tailored discount benefits on the Climate Companion Card to support young people’s transportation cost relief and unlimited public transportation use. The target group includes youth aged 19 to 34, from university students to early career workers, who can use Seoul buses, subways, and Ddareungi bike-sharing unlimitedly at an affordable price in the 50,000 KRW range.

Seoul City Launches 'Youth Climate Companion Card' Priced Around 50,000 Won for Ages 19-34

On the 26th, one day before the pilot operation of the 'Climate Companion Card,' the unlimited public transportation pass introduced for the first time nationwide 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@

Since its launch on the 27th of last month, the Climate Companion Card has recorded sales of about 430,000 cards, receiving a strong response. In particular, about 50% of purchasers are in their 20s and 30s, indicating high demand among the youth. Since young people actively use public transportation for commuting to school, work, and outings, Seoul’s analysis suggests that the youth discount on the Climate Companion Card will increase motivation to use public transportation while allowing them to experience enhanced benefits.

The youth discount on the Climate Companion Card is applied to two types priced about 12% lower than the basic prices of 62,000 KRW and 65,000 KRW: ▲55,000 KRW (excluding Ddareungi) and ▲58,000 KRW. This unprecedented fare in the 50,000 KRW range allows broad use of subways, buses, and Ddareungi without additional payments.

During the pilot project period, the youth discount benefit for the Climate Companion Card will be applied through a post-refund method. From the 26th to June 30th, users will use the existing general Climate Companion Card (around 60,000 KRW) and then apply for a separate refund in July to receive the discounted amount retroactively.

Youth using physical cards must register their current card in advance on the T-money website. Then, they use the existing 60,000 KRW card type during the pilot period and can apply for a refund of the discount amount (7,000 KRW per month, up to 35,000 KRW over 5 months) on the T-money website from July for both mobile and physical cards.

From the official project starting in July, youth card types that can be charged immediately at the discounted price in the 50,000 KRW range will be distributed. For both mobile and physical cards, users simply need to complete age verification and card number registration on the T-money website and select the youth card option when charging.

Seoul is also considering adding various additional benefits such as for using cultural and sports facilities. Within the first half of the year, charging methods will be expanded to include credit and debit cards, continuously improving user convenience. Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Transportation Office, stated, "Starting with the Climate Companion Card youth discount that combines unlimited public transportation use with enhanced benefits, we will continue to make every effort to improve services and expand benefits so that the future generation of 2030 youth can be motivated to use public transportation."