Since its launch on the 1st of last month, the number of subscribers to the 'Incheon I-Pass' has reached 135,105 in just over a month.
This figure exceeds the initial projections made by the Incheon city government. The city plans to thoroughly monitor the number of subscribers, average users, eligible refund recipients, and the corresponding refund amounts. If any shortfalls are anticipated, Incheon will closely coordinate with the Metropolitan Area Wide Transport Committee to respond promptly.
The Incheon I-Pass is an expanded version of the government’s K-Pass, offering broader support and benefits. While providing the same discount rates on public transportation fares as K-Pass?20% for the general public (30% for youth and 53% for low-income groups)?it removes K-Pass’s monthly usage limit of 60 rides, allowing for unlimited discounts.
Additionally, whereas K-Pass offers youth benefits to those aged 19 to 34, Incheon has extended this age range to 19 to 39. The refund rate for seniors aged 65 and above has also been increased from 20% to 30%, with plans to gradually raise it to 50% in the future.
To receive the benefits of the Incheon I-Pass, users must first obtain a K-Pass card and then register as a member on the K-Pass website. If the registered address is confirmed to be in Incheon, the user will automatically receive the benefits of the Incheon I-Pass. Existing users of the Altteul Transportation Card can continue to enjoy the benefits of both K-Pass and Incheon I-Pass by consenting to membership conversion on the K-Pass website by the 30th of this month.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is boarding the subway at Incheon Terminal Station using the 'Incheon I-Pass'. 2024.5.1 [Photo by Incheon City]
Incheon city will deploy support personnel to assist all citizens in subscribing to the K-Pass and enjoying the Incheon-style public transportation fare support program.
To aid digitally vulnerable groups such as seniors who may face difficulties in obtaining K-Pass cards and registering as members, the city plans to station guides through the Senior Social Contribution Activity Support Project at the city hall and the civil service offices of eight district offices. These guides will work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays starting from the 17th (with start dates varying by region depending on recruitment progress).
The city is also preparing without delay for the 'Incheon Metropolitan I-Pass,' which will be implemented in the second half of this year. The Metropolitan I-Pass is a commuter pass that allows unlimited use for 30 days at a cost of 80,000 KRW. It applies to metropolitan seat-type buses, metropolitan express buses (M-buses), and metropolitan trunk rapid transit system buses (BRT route 7700 between Cheongna and Gangseo) traveling from Incheon to Seoul without transfers.
Furthermore, Incheon city is thoroughly preparing the necessary administrative procedures, including social security system reviews and system development, to launch a transportation fare support program for children and adolescents scheduled for the second half of next year.
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