A commuter taps a transit card at a turnstile at Seoul Station in central Seoul on July 5 as a notice announcing the discontinuation of the 30-day Climate Card is displayed on a wall.Yonhap
[EXPLAINER]
Seoul's 30-day Climate Card, the city's unlimited monthly transit pass, will be discontinued next month after two years in service.
It will be replaced by the central government's K-pass system, which now includes an unlimited monthly fare option called Modu Card. Seoul plans to add its own benefits to that option and rebrand it as Climate Card Plus.
The transition is intended to simplify Korea's growing number of transit discount programs, but the coexistence of K-pass, Modu Card and the planned Climate Card Plus has left many commuters confused.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions, based on information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Q. What is Climate Card?
A. Climate Card is Seoul's monthly transit pass. The basic plan costs 62,000 won ($40) for 30 days of unlimited subway and bus rides. Higher-priced plans also cover Ttareungi, the city’s public bike-sharing service, and the Hangang Bus. It primarily covers transit within Seoul, but none of its plans cover the Sinbundang Line, GTX or intercity buses.
What is K-pass?
K-pass is the central government's nationwide public transportation discount program.
Riders who use buses or subways at least 15 times a month receive reimbursements based on their transportation spending. General users receive a 20 percent reimbursement, while low-income users receive up to 53 percent. Benefits apply to up to 60 rides per month.
Unlike Climate Card, K-pass covers all nationwide bus and subway lines, including the Shinbundang line, GTX and intercity buses, but it does not cover Seoul-specific transport options such as Ttareungi and the Hangang Bus.
A user holds a mobile screen of the K-pass at the platform of Seoul Station in central Seoul on the first day of the service on May 1, 2024.Yonhap
What is Modu Card?
Modu Card is not a separate transit card. It is the name of the monthly fixed-fare option under the K-pass program. Riders don’t need to apply separately for this card: They only need to apply for the K-pass program. The program then will determine which of the fixed fare options the riders have to pay every month based on the riders’ actual use of transport that month as well as age, residence, household status and income level.
For a general rider living in the Seoul metropolitan area, the fare will be 62,000 won under the standard option and 100,000 won under the “plus” option, which covers all intercity travel as well.
This means that if a rider takes frequent intercity trips during a certain month and spent over 100,000 won, the K-pass program will only charge the rider 100,000 won and refund the rest of the money spent on fares the following month.
In another month when the rider only traveled within Seoul and spent less than 100,000 won, it is likely the rider would pay 62,000 won and get refunds for the rest of the fare.
Why is Seoul ending the 30-day Climate Card?
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the change is intended to reduce confusion following the expansion of the central government's K-pass benefits this year.
The city also expects to lower administrative costs. Under the new system, 40 percent of the operating costs for Modu Card are covered by the central government and 60 percent by Seoul. The city government has been fully funding the discounts provided through the Climate Card.
When is the last day I can use the 30-day Climate Card?
Prepaid Climate Cards, including physical and mobile versions, can be used until Aug. 29. The last day to recharge them is July 31.
Postpaid Climate Cards can be used through the end of August.
Passengers line up to board a bus near Myeongdong Station in central Seoul on May 2, 2024.Yonhap
When should I switch from Climate Card to K-pass?
As soon as possible.
The government has temporarily expanded K-pass benefits for transportation expenses incurred between April and September to ease household burden from high fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.
Riders traveling during designated off-peak hours — 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. — receive additional benefits, including a 50 percent lower Modu Card spending threshold and a higher reimbursement rate under the standard K-pass program.
Seoul's 30,000-won Climate Card cash back program — where registered users received partial refunds on their monthly card fee for several months — ended in June, making K-pass the more cost-effective option for most commuters.
Do I need to choose between the standard K-pass and Modu Card?
No. Once registered for K-pass, riders do not need to choose between the standard reimbursement program and Modu Card.
Standard reimbursement program refers to 20 percent reimbursement based on a riders’ spending. Modu Card option applies if riders have spent over certain thresholds and would benefit more from paying fixed fares and get refunds for the rest of the fares.
Each month, the system automatically calculates which option provides the greater benefit among standard reimbursement, standard Modu Card and plus Modu Card options and then gives refunds.
What is the difference between the standard and plus Modu Card options?
Under the standard option, only rides costing less than 3,000 won are counted toward the monthly spending threshold. The plus option also includes rides costing 3,000 won or more, such as red buses and GTX services.
Can foreigners apply for the K-pass and Modu Card?
Foreign residents aged 19 or older with a resident registration number are eligible. Since all local governments now participate in the K-pass program, residents nationwide can apply.
A commuter passes through a turnstile at a subway platform in Seoul on June 12.NEWS1
What is Climate Card Plus?
Climate Card Plus will be Seoul's enhanced version of Modu Card, similar to Gyeonggi Pass and Incheon's I-Pass, adding city-specific benefits to the national K-pass program.
The city plans to restore several benefits that were available under the original Climate Card, including expanding the young adult discount to those up to age 39, extending benefits for discharged military service members to age 42 and continuing discounts for Ttareungi bike rentals and selected cultural facilities.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government had hoped to launch the program this month, but it is still awaiting approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Transport Commission. Officials now expect it could be introduced as early as the fourth quarter.
Unlike the current monthly Climate Card, Climate Card Plus is expected to be available only to Seoul residents.
What about short-term Climate Cards?
Short-term Climate Cards, available as one-, two-, three-, five- and seven-day passes, will continue to be sold.
Comparison of transit programsCHUN YU-JIN
Are there any remaining benefits for monthly Climate Card holders?
Monthly Climate Card users can continue applying for the cash back program through the T-money website until the end of August.
Those who apply by July 20 will receive cash back for April and May. Applications submitted after July 20 will receive cash back covering the entire period from April to June.
However, the cash back application system for foreign residents has been temporarily suspended due to an issue with residence verification. A Seoul city government official said the city plans to announce a separate application process for foreign residents and begin accepting applications in August.
