Seohun Oh's 'Gidongcar' Sells 1 Million Copies in 70 Days... Discounts Increase and Short-Term Tickets Also Released

Pilot Project Ends... Main Project Starts July 1 Reflecting Citizens' Opinions
Average Monthly Savings of 30,000 KRW per Person... Increased Outdoor Activities and Consumer Spending
Short-Term Pass for 1-7 Days Launched, Additional Youth Discounts, Expanded Cultural Facility Discounts
Oh Se-hoon "Climate Companion Card Will Become a Source of Pride for Seoul Citizens"

Seoul City's unlimited public transportation pass, the 'Gihudonghaeng Card,' which recorded sales of 1 million units within 70 days of its launch, is moving from its pilot phase to official operation. Additional youth discounts will be introduced, and short-term passes will be separately released, with a postpaid card scheduled for the second half of the year. Seoul City plans to further expand the benefits by reflecting citizens' opinions.

On the morning of the 26th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the end of the Gihudonghaeng Card pilot project at Seoul City Hall and stated that the full project would commence on July 1, incorporating citizen requests received during the pilot period.

The Gihudonghaeng Card is a public transportation pass introduced by Seoul City to address the climate crisis and reduce citizens' transportation costs. Users can use Seoul's subways, buses, and public bicycles called 'Ddareungi' unlimited times within the city for a monthly fee of 65,000 KRW (62,000 KRW excluding Ddareungi). Thanks to these advantages, cumulative sales reached 1 million units within 70 days of implementation. The total sales volume has reached 1.6 million units, with an average of 540,000 weekday users.

The benefits to citizens have also been proven. An analysis of Gihudonghaeng Card usage data from its launch on January 27 through May showed that each user saved approximately 30,000 KRW per month on transportation costs. A survey conducted by the Seoul Institute targeting 2,090 Gihudonghaeng Card users found that 68% of respondents increased their external activities by about 1.3 times per week after using the card, with increased spending on dining out, shopping, and bank savings in that order. Seoul City estimates the resulting production inducement effect to be about 80.2 billion KRW.

The usage area, which had caused inconvenience to metropolitan area citizens, has steadily expanded. At the end of last year, Seoul City signed an agreement with Gimpo City and expanded the usage area to cover the entire 'Gimpo Gold Line' from March 30. Seoul City is currently in close discussions with additional adjacent local governments.

Also, the payment methods, which were initially limited to cash (physical card) and bank transfer (mobile card) during the pilot phase, were diversified from April by replacing charging terminals, improving the app system, and consulting with related agencies to include 'credit and debit cards' as payment options.

Benefits under the full project will also be enhanced. Youth aged 19 to 39 can use the card at a discounted price of 55,000 KRW (excluding Ddareungi), a 7,000 KRW discount. The types of passes will also diversify, including short-term passes (1 to 7 days). Short-term passes for foreign tourists and visitors to Seoul will be newly introduced as follows: ▲1-day pass (5,000 KRW) ▲2-day pass (8,000 KRW) ▲3-day pass (10,000 KRW) ▲5-day pass (15,000 KRW) ▲7-day pass (20,000 KRW).

Notably, from November, a postpaid Gihudonghaeng Card with combined debit and credit card payment functions will be launched. It will be usable on Seoul City's flagship autonomous buses and on the 'Hangang River Bus,' the first water transportation on the Hangang River scheduled to operate in October. Additionally, cultural facility discounts will become more generous. In addition to existing discounts at places like the Seoul Science Museum, from July, admission to Seoul Grand Park and Seoul Botanical Garden will be available at a 50% discounted rate.

Mayor Oh said, "Climate companionship through public transportation is an issue attracting global attention, and the most efficient, innovative, and convenient Gihudonghaeng Card will become a source of pride for Seoul citizens. Going forward, we will continue to foster genuine climate companionship where citizens voluntarily reduce car usage by experiencing the convenience of public transportation."