From May, Expanded to Seongnam... Hanam and Uijeongbu to Follow in the Second Half
Discounts Extended to Large Families and Low-Income Groups After Youth
Users Save 30,000 KRW Monthly... Greenhouse Gas Emissions Also Reduced
Han River Bus Dedicated Pass and Design Renewal for Further Expansion
Starting from May, the Climate Companion Card will also be usable on subway lines in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province. Hanam City and Uijeongbu City will be able to use it from the second half of the year. Having surpassed 10 million cumulative recharges in just over a year since its launch, becoming a 'ten million policy,' the discount benefits will be further expanded.
According to Seoul City on the 16th, beginning May 3rd with Seongnam City, the Climate Companion Card will be usable on subways in Hanam City and Uijeongbu City in the second half of the year. The Climate Companion Card is a system that allows unlimited use of transportation such as Seoul city buses, village buses, and subways for 30 days by paying 62,000 KRW per month. Currently, it can be used not only in Seoul but also in Gimpo, Namyangju, Guri, Goyang, and Gwacheon.
Seoul City plans to increase discount benefits as the usage scope expands. From the second half of the year, teenagers aged 13 to 18 will be able to use the 30-day pass (55,000 KRW; 58,000 KRW including Ddareungi bike) at a discounted price of 7,000 KRW, the same as young adults. Discounts for parents with multiple children and low-income groups will also be available for the 30-day pass: parents with two children can use the Climate Companion Card at prices in the 50,000 KRW range, while parents with three children and low-income groups can use it at prices in the 40,000 KRW range. To expand discounts, it is known that Seoul City has requested consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a new social security system, aiming for implementation in the second half of 2025. A non-face-to-face eligibility verification system linkage is also being prepared.
After the main project of the Climate Companion Card, Seoul City plans to conduct research through specialized institutions to verify its economic and environmental effects and develop it into a sustainable policy. This is to establish a mid- to long-term operation plan for the Climate Companion Card, reflecting opinions that new models such as additional card types are needed to expand the usage scope not only in Seoul but also in the metropolitan area or nationwide.
The economic effect has already been proven. With 700,000 active cards and an average daily user count of 600,000, it has established itself as a representative public transportation policy for Seoul citizens. Comparing the total number of card payments used for public transportation in Seoul, one out of every seven public transportation users in Seoul uses the Climate Companion Card.
In particular, according to an analysis by the Seoul Institute, users of the Climate Companion Card received about 30,000 KRW in monthly transportation cost savings. After using the Climate Companion Card, the average monthly use of private cars decreased by 11.8 times, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30,000 tons annually.
This reflects the policy stance of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to continuously expand the usage scope and benefits of the Climate Companion Card. Initially, only cash payments were possible, which was inconvenient, but payment methods have been expanded to include credit cards, and a postpaid card that is convenient for foreigners and tourists has also been launched. Discount benefits are also provided in connection with major cultural facilities in the city such as Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Botanical Garden, and Seoul Moon.
On the 11th, 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 rapidly spread with 124,000 cumulative issuances.
Since the beginning of this year, to minimize opportunity costs due to military service and provide fair benefits, the youth discount benefit for discharged soldiers has been extended by up to three years corresponding to the mandatory service period. Those who served more than two years can receive the 30-day pass benefit until age 42; those who served between one and two years until age 41; and those who served less than one year until age 40. The 30-day youth discount price is 55,000 KRW (58,000 KRW including Ddareungi bike), which is 7,000 KRW cheaper than the regular pass.
A dedicated pass aligned with the Han River bus departure is also planned. First, a new design will be applied. From May, a new design of the Climate Companion Card featuring Seoul's integrated transportation brand 'GO SEOUL' will be introduced. It is explained that recycled plastic (R-PVC) material will be used to help practice eco-friendly values.
Seoul City Transportation Office Director Yeojang-gwon said, "In Gimpo and Namyangju, which are directly connected to Seoul by subway, the public transportation usage patterns are similar to those of Seoul citizens, so the preference for the Climate Companion Card was high." He added, "If linked with the Han River bus this year, accessibility between Seoul and Gimpo will improve, and demand for the Climate Companion Card will further expand."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the results of the full-scale implementation of the Climate Companion Card project at Seoul City Hall on April 26 last year. Photo by Seoul City
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