15.2 Million Won in Additional Fares Collected for Misuse
A notice regarding the use of the unlimited public transportation pass "Climate Companion Card," which Seoul City is launching nationwide for the first time, is posted at Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5 in Jongno-gu, Seoul, one day before the pilot operation in January last year. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
As cases of misuse of the Seoul public transportation pass, the "Climate Companion Card," have been increasing, Seoul Metro is strengthening its crackdown efforts.
According to Seoul Metro on May 20, a total of 152 million won in additional fares was collected through enforcement against misuse of the Climate Companion Card from January to April of this year.
The Climate Companion Card is a transportation pass introduced by Seoul City in January 2023, allowing unlimited use of subways, buses, and public bicycles such as Ttareungi. The regular card costs 62,000 won, and the youth card costs 55,000 won.
Representative cases of misuse include: adults who do not meet the age requirements using the youth card; and family members or acquaintances sharing a single card.
To strengthen enforcement, Seoul Metro has added a misuse category to its operations management system and improved the system so that a purple indicator appears at the ticket gate when a youth card is used. If multiple users are suspected, verification is conducted through CCTV footage.
The back of the Climate Companion Card clearly states "Transfer or rental prohibited," and if misuse is detected, up to 30 times the additional fare can be retroactively charged.
Seoul Metro estimates the total loss related to the Climate Companion Card from January to May of this year at approximately 134.1 billion won.
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