Starting September 1, Seoul's unlimited public transportation pass, the Climate Companion Card, will transition to the Climate Companion Pass, which is integrated with the government's Everyone's Card. The age limit for youth discounts will also expand from 19-34 years to 19-39 years.
The Climate Companion Pass, effective September 1, combines the government's public transportation subsidy program with localized benefits from Seoul. While the previous Climate Companion Card focused on unlimited public transport within Seoul, the new pass will offer refund benefits for nationwide public transportation, including GTX, Shinbundang Line, and express buses. Refunds will be automatically calculated based on the higher amount between a percentage and a fixed amount of the monthly transportation expenses.
A significant change is the expansion of the youth discount eligibility. Previously, the Climate Companion Card offered discounts for those aged 19-34, but the Climate Companion Pass will now include individuals aged 19-39. This means that Seoul residents aged 35-39 can also benefit from youth-type refunds.
The basic refund rate is 20% for the general category and 30% for the youth category, with fixed refund thresholds set at 62,000 won for the general category and 55,000 won for the youth category in the metropolitan area.
However, a temporary government benefit in response to high fuel prices will apply through September, offering refund rates of 50% for the general public, 60% for youth, families with two children, and seniors, 80% for families with three or more children, and 83.3% for low-income individuals. This temporary benefit is in effect from April to September.
Residents of Seoul who already use the Everyone's Card (K-Pass) will not need to obtain a new card. If they have registered for K-Pass and verified their residency in Seoul, the specialized benefits of the Climate Companion Pass will automatically apply starting September 1. Residents aged 35-39 who have completed residency verification will also be eligible for youth-type benefits.
New users wishing to obtain the Everyone's Card can do so by applying for a credit or debit card through their card issuer and registering it with K-Pass. For prepaid cards, users must register their card number and refund account on the card issuer's website or app before registering with K-Pass to receive refund benefits.
To assist existing Climate Companion Card users with the transition, Seoul will operate promotional booths at 12 major subway stations from September 1 to October 2.
The participating stations include Seoul Station, Seongsu, Konkuk University, City Hall, Yeonsinnae, Nowon, Hongdae, Jamsil, Sadang, Seolleung, Yeouido, and Gasan Digital Complex.
Users can exchange their expired physical Climate Companion Cards for a new Climate Companion Pass card at no cost. Those who have already transitioned to the Everyone's Card can return their used cards for a convenience store coupon worth 2,000 won.
However, if the existing physical card is registered on the T-money website, users must delete the card registration for privacy protection before visiting the booth to exchange for a new card.
There is also a separate compensation benefit for existing Climate Companion Card users. The application period for the "30,000 won monthly payback for the 30-day Climate Companion Card" has been extended from the end of August to the end of September.
Eligible individuals are those who charged the 30-day Climate Companion Card between April 1 and June 30 and used it until the expiration date, residing in Seoul or the cities of Gimpo, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, or Hanam in Gyeonggi Province.
Eligible users can receive up to 90,000 won, with a maximum of 30,000 won per month for three months. For example, if all three months qualify, the total would be "30,000 won x 3 months = 90,000 won." Refunds will be deposited sequentially into the user's bank account.
Applications for the payback can be made on the T-money card and pay website, and for those over 65 or foreigners who find online applications difficult, paper submissions via mail, fax, or email will also be accepted.
Not all benefits of the existing Climate Companion Card will disappear on September 1. Seoul plans to implement expanded discounts for veterans up to age 42 and bike rental discounts later this year. There are also plans to expand discounts for youth in the future.
Existing Climate Companion Card users can use prepaid 30-day cards until September 29 and postpaid cards until September 30, but after that, they must transition to the new system. Residents of Seoul already using K-Pass can receive the specialized benefits of the Climate Companion Pass without needing to reissue their cards, as long as they complete residency verification.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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