Expansion to Seongnam in May, Hanam and Uijeongbu in the Second Half of the Year
Discounts for Youth, Multi-Child Families, and Others Coming in the Second Half
The Seoul Climate Companion Card has surpassed 10 million cumulative recharges just over a year after its launch, becoming a policy enjoyed by ten million citizens beyond a 'million-seller.' Riding on its popularity, the city plans to expand the usage areas of the Climate Companion Card this year and add discount benefits for youth, multi-child families, and low-income groups.
On the 15th, the city announced that as of the 11th of this month, the cumulative number of prepaid Climate Companion Card recharges exceeded 10.01 million. Physical cards account for 6.9 million, and mobile cards for 3.11 million. The postpaid Climate Companion Card, newly introduced last November, has also been rapidly spreading with 124,000 cards issued. Previously, the Climate Companion Card was launched on January 27 last year and sold 1 million cards within three months, earning the nickname 'million-seller policy.'
Since the launch of the Climate Companion Card, the city has actively reflected citizens' demands by expanding the usage areas and scope and broadening payment methods. The usage range has currently expanded to include subways in Gimpo, Namyangju, Guri, Goyang, and Gwacheon. Starting May 3, the Climate Companion Card will also be usable on subway sections in Seongnam City. This applies to 10 stations from Gachon University to Ori on the Suin-Bundang Line and 3 stations?Pangyo, Seongnam, and Imae?on the Gyeonggang Line. In the second half of the year, usage is expected to be possible in Hanam City and Uijeongbu City as well. In Hanam, the card will be usable at 4 stations on Line 5, and in Uijeongbu, at 5 stations on Line 1 and 15 stations on the Uijeongbu Light Rail Transit.
Payment methods, which were initially limited to cash payments causing inconvenience, have been expanded to include credit cards, and a postpaid card convenient for foreigners and travelers has also been introduced. The card also offers linked discount benefits at major city cultural facilities such as Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Botanic Park, and Seoul Dal.
Thanks to transportation fare savings and various benefits, citizens have expressed satisfaction with the Climate Companion Card. In a usage review event held to commemorate the card’s first anniversary, Mr. Seol said, "I used to feel burdened by transportation costs because my daily routine involves commuting on weekdays and going to an academy after work, but with the Climate Companion Card and youth discounts, it’s very convenient." He added, "Thanks to it, I was able to enjoy the Seoul Dal balloon at Yeouido Park at a discounted price." Mr. Nam said, "I was considering using a car for a weekend date, but to avoid traffic congestion, I used the Climate Companion Card, which allowed me to travel much faster and more comfortably, and I really saved on transportation costs." He also said, "I felt proud to contribute to carbon reduction by using public transportation instead of a car."
This fall, customized discounts for youth, multi-child parents, and low-income groups will be newly introduced for the Climate Companion Card. The youth discount, promoted as Seoul’s Regulatory Reform Proposal No. 91, allows youths aged 13 to 18 to use the 30-day pass at the same discounted price of 7,000 won as young adults. Discounts for multi-child parents and low-income groups will also apply only to the 30-day pass: parents with two children will pay 55,000 won (58,000 won including Ttareungi bike), and parents with three children and low-income groups will pay 45,000 won (48,000 won including Ttareungi bike).
The Climate Companion Card design will also be renewed. Starting in May, a new design applying Seoul’s integrated transportation brand 'GO SEOUL' will be introduced. Notably, the newly released cards will use recycled plastic materials, embodying the eco-friendly values befitting the 'Climate Companion' concept.
The city plans to conduct research through specialized institutions to verify the economic and environmental effects of the Climate Companion Card after its main project phase and to develop it into a sustainable policy.
Yeo Jang-kwon, Director of Seoul City Transportation Office, said, "We will continue to improve services so that public transportation can be used conveniently and economically in daily life, and develop this into a representative Seoul city policy that embraces both transportation welfare and the environment."
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