The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Jan. 23 will begin the pre-sale of the city's unlimited mass transit pass Climate Card four days ahead of its official launch. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Hyelin

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Jan. 17 said it will launch on Jan. 23 the pre-sale of the mobile download or physical card of the city's unlimited mass transit pass Climate Card four days ahead of its official launch.

Priced in the KRW 60,000 range per month, the card allows unlimited rides on the Seoul subway system except the Shinbundang Line due to its higher fares. It can also be used to depart from a station in Seoul to one in Gyeonggi-do Province or Incheon but not vice versa.

Holders can also ride city and shuttle buses but not inter-city ones given the latter's different fare systems. The basic card costs KRW 62,000 per month and the one including use of the city's bicycle rental system Ttareungyi is KRW 65,000.

Both digital and physical cards from Jan. 23 can be downloaded or purchased for use starting on Jan. 27. A card is effective for 30 days after activation and a user must select the activation date within five days of charging it.

The mobile card is available for download only on Android devices.

Simply download the Mobile T-Money app and register to get a card. Before using the pass, a user must select the Climate Card icon on the first main page, register an account and top up the latter through a bank transfer.

From Jan. 23, users can buy a plastic Climate Card for KRW 3,000 in cash separate from the monthly fee at customer service centers and add the fare in cash using ticket machines at stations between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni on Subway Line 1 run by the Seoul Metro and at those on lines two through eight.

The city on Jan. 20 will post the locations of both the sales booths and charging machines on its official website.

Users of the mobile card with the Ttareungyi option get an hour of bicycle use daily over 30 days by entering the 16-digit card number on the T-Money Go app. Those using the physical card must sign up for the bicycle option through the QR code on the back in the upper left corner.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr