Million-seller Policy 'Gidongka'... Scope and Benefits to Expand

Expansion of Local Government Cooperation... Continued Success of Short-Term Tickets at Incheon Airport Station
Expansion of Youth Discount Range
Postpaid Function Expected to be Added in the Second Half of the Year

The Climate Companion Card, which has become a representative million-seller policy of Seoul City, has been upgraded. Not only has the usage range been expanded to allow disembarking at Incheon Airport Station (T1·T2), but the scope of youth discount benefits has also increased. In the second half of the year, a postpaid Climate Companion Card combined with credit card functions is also scheduled to be released.

The Climate Companion Card is a public transportation pass introduced by Seoul City to respond to the climate crisis and alleviate citizens' transportation costs. Users can use unlimited rides on Seoul's subway, buses, and public bicycles called Ttareungi for a monthly fee of 65,000 KRW (62,000 KRW excluding Ttareungi). Due to these advantages, it recorded cumulative sales of 1 million cards within 70 days of implementation.

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@

Considering the demand from surrounding areas of Seoul, cooperation with neighboring local governments is also increasing. Seoul City expanded the usage range of the Climate Companion Card last month by signing an agreement with Guri City, following Incheon, Gimpo, Gunpo, Gwacheon, Goyang, and Namyangju. Based on Mayor Oh Se-hoon's transportation philosophy that "all metropolitan residents commuting or attending school in Seoul are Seoul citizens," Seoul plans to secure additional cooperation.

Recently, short-term passes were also launched. Comprising five types (1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day, and 7-day passes), domestic and foreign tourists visiting Seoul can use Seoul-licensed buses, Seoul area subways, and the Gimpo Gold Line unlimitedly at affordable prices ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 KRW.

The system has been improved to allow disembarking at Incheon Airport Station (T1·T2) on the Airport Railroad. Until now, foreign tourists who entered Incheon Airport and then arrived in Seoul to purchase and conveniently use the Climate Companion Card could not use the card when departing via the Airport Railroad to Incheon Airport. Therefore, Seoul City decided to exceptionally allow disembarking at Incheon Airport Station (T1·T2) to enable departing tourists to conveniently travel to the airport.

Seoul City is also paying attention to the increase in the use of the 'Climate Companion Card short-term pass.' Since the Climate Companion Card is already applicable at Gimpo Airport Station on the Airport Railroad, the addition of the disembarking service at Incheon Airport Station (T1·T2) is expected to increase users further. Approximately 43,000 cards were charged and used in July, and this number significantly rose to about 66,000 in August during the vacation season.

This time, benefits were added for young people who fulfilled their military service obligations to compensate for their mandatory service period, attracting attention. Seoul City even pushed for the revision of the 'Seoul Metropolitan Youth Basic Ordinance,' which will extend the age limit for the Climate Companion Card youth discount by up to three years. Currently, the youth discount applies to those aged 19 to 39, but by applying the discount for the period of mandatory service, it will be extended up to age 42. With the youth discount applied, the 30-day pass can be used for 55,000 KRW (58,000 KRW including Ttareungi), discounted by 7,000 KRW.

If a person served in the military for more than two years, the youth discount age extends up to 42; for service between one year and less than two years, up to 41; and for less than one year, up to 40. Once the ordinance amendment passes, the youth age extension will be applied immediately from 2025. The eligible birth years for 2025 will be from 1982 to 2006.

Seoul City plans to finalize and announce the specific application schedule and method after system adjustments. In principle, it intends to allow pre-screening and then charge the Climate Companion Card for eligible individuals, but if system adjustments are delayed, it is also considering allowing users to charge a general pass first and then refund afterward. Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Seoul City Transportation Office, said, "The expansion of the youth discount age for the Climate Companion Card for discharged soldiers who could not benefit from youth policies due to military service is significant for improving youth welfare and fair policy operation." He added, "Seoul City will continue to strengthen institutional support so that young people are not marginalized and can receive benefits fairly."