The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Jan. 27 will release the all-inclusive transit pass Climate Card, which allows unlimited use of public transportation and the public bicycle rental system Ttareungyi. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

By Wu Jinhua

The Seoul Metropolitan Government from Jan. 27 will introduce the mass transit pass Climate Card, which allows extensive use of public transportation in the capital region, the city said on Dec. 19.

This card also allows use of the public rental bicycle system Ttareungyi. This eco-friendly and innovative commuting pass, the first of its kind in the country, is customized for changes stemming from climate change and the transportation environment. 

Card users can ride all nine of Seoul's subway lines, the light-rail transit (LRT) Sillim Line, Wooe-Sinseul LRT, Suin-Bundang Line, Gyeongchun Line, Gyeongui-Jungang Line and Airport Express from Seoul Station to Gimpo International Airport. The Shin-Bundang Line was excluded, however, because of a different fare system.

Users can ride both city and shuttle buses licensed by the capital but not intra-city or night buses with different fares and licenses based in other cities or regions such as Gyeonggi-do Province or Incheon.

The two types of Climate Card are KRW 62,000 and KRW 65,000, with the latter including use of Ttareungyi.

Five days ahead of the card's launch, the city on Jan. 23 will launch the download of mobile cards and sales of physical cards. Mobile cards are available only for Android smartphones, thus those with iOS models must use the physical card.

To use card, a user downloads the free app Mobile T Money, pays the monthly fee to the assigned bank account and specify date of use within five days. A physical card costs KRW 3,000 in cash at the customer service center of a subway station and adding money to it can also be done with cash only at a ticket machine. A user must also designate the date of use within five days of getting a card.

More information on the card is available on the city's official website (https://english.seoul.go.kr/) or calling Dasan Call Center (82-2-120).

jane0614@korea.kr