There are three transportation discount cards released in Korea this year. Which card is best for me?

Starting this year, three public transportation cards that provide discounts on public transportation fares will be introduced in Korea. These include Seoul City’s ‘Climate Companion Card’, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s ‘K-Pass’, and Gyeonggi Province’s ‘The Gyeonggi Pass’. The advantageous transportation card may be different depending on each person's usage method, such as how often they use public transportation and whether they transfer to buses or subways. Let’s take a look at which card is best for me.

Seoul City ‘Climate Companion Card’

*Characteristics of the card: If you pay 65,000 won per month for the Climate Companion Card created by Seoul City, you can use all public transportation methods in Seoul unlimitedly, including the Seoul subway, city buses, village buses, and public bicycle Ttareungi. The advantage of the Gifu Companion Card, unlike existing transportation passes, is that it can be used without limit. Unlike other cards, there is no hassle of getting a refund for transportation expenses later.

*Area of ​​use: Available only in Seoul. You cannot use the Shinbundang Line, subways outside Seoul, metropolitan or late-night buses, or buses from other cities or provinces. Incheon-Gimpo Metropolitan Bus and Gimpo Gold Line have decided to participate in the Climate Companion Card, which is expected to be available starting in April.

*Purchase location: You can purchase a physical card for 3,000 won at a customer safety room on Seoul Subway Lines 1 to 8 or at a convenience store near the station. Afterwards, you can recharge with cash at the charging terminal in the station. Android smartphone users can also purchase via mobile phone.

To benefit from the Climate Companion Card, you must use public transportation more than 40 times a month.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport ‘K-Pass’

*Characteristics of the card: K-Pass, launched by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is a transportation card that provides a partial refund of the fare up to 60 times in the next month if you regularly use public transportation such as city buses and subways more than 15 times a month. 20% is refunded to the general public, 30% to young people (19-34 years old), and 53% to low-income people.

For example, if you spend 90,000 won on public transportation 60 times at 1,500 won per time, you will receive 18,000 won back for the general public, 27,000 won for young people, and 47,700 won for low-income people the next month. In this way, you can save up to 170,000 to 440,000 won per year. In addition, you can receive additional discounts (up to 10%) provided by your credit card company.

*Area of ​​use: The advantage of the K Pass is that it can be used virtually anywhere in the country. It is expected to be advantageous for migrants who commute long distances across regions as they can receive benefits not only when using regular city buses and subways, but also when using GTX-A and metropolitan buses. The minimum usage condition is 15 times per month. If you don't use public transportation often, but ride more than 15 times a month, you can save on transportation costs with the K-Pass.

*When to use: K-Pass can be used starting in May. Existing 'economic transportation card' users only need to go through the membership conversion process to K-Pass. Starting in May, new users can select and use products from the K-Pass website and app, and the websites of 11 card companies.

Gyeonggi-do ‘The Gyeonggi Pass’

*Characteristics of the card: The Gyeonggi Pass is a transportation card that provides more benefits to Gyeonggi residents based on the K-Pass. The method of refunding a portion of transportation costs on a differentiated basis - 20% for the general public, 30% for young people, and 53% for low-income families - is the same as the K-Pass. The difference is that support benefits for young people are provided until the age of 39.

Another thing is that there is no limit of 60 sessions per month. If you are a resident of Gyeonggi-do and frequently use public transportation, it is a good idea to use the Gyeonggi Pass. As the K-Pass is being introduced in May, the Gyeonggi Pass is also expected to be released at this time.

Mary Eve of Papaya Story