Climate Companion Card's end nears, users frustrated by delays and confusion

Seoul's popular 'Climate Companion Card,' a public transport pass offering unlimited rides for a fixed monthly fee, is set to cease operations on August 31. This impending end has sparked user frustration and confusion, particularly as the planned successor, 'Climate Companion Card Plus,' faces significant delays.

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I can't use the Climate Companion Card anymore, and I have to get a new card again. I also have to re-register, which is too cumbersome.

To maintain public transport subsidies, users must transition to the government's 'K-Pass,' known locally as 'Modu-ui Card.' This transition involves the inconvenience of obtaining a new physical card and re-registering personal information. The delay in launching the integrated 'Climate Companion Card Plus' means users will likely have to navigate the 'K-Pass' system first, with the integrated service potentially not available until the fourth quarter of the year.

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It's a waste of money and time to buy a physical card and then have to issue and register a new one. It's also bothersome that the policy changes every two years, and local governments and the central government should have coordinated the policy implementation schedule in advance.

The situation is exacerbated by a public disagreement between Seoul city officials and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. Seoul announced the 'Plus' card integration in May, but the ministry publicly refuted the timeline, stating that no such integration was confirmed. This bureaucratic friction has created a policy vacuum and left citizens uncertain about future benefits.

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My son has been using the Climate Companion Card, but when I looked into Modu-ui Card, it said minors cannot sign up. Is there no way to get a discount now? The schedule for minor registration doesn't seem to be set yet, shouldn't it be connected immediately?

Furthermore, the transition risks leaving some users without benefits they previously enjoyed. The 'Climate Companion Card' offered discounts for individuals up to age 39, while 'K-Pass' limits this age group to 34. Minors are also excluded from 'K-Pass,' raising concerns for student commuters. Experts suggest that political competition between central and local governments contributes to such policy overlaps and citizen inconvenience, emphasizing the need for greater coordination and citizen-centric planning.

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I've been using the Climate Companion Card's youth discount, paying 55,000 won for unlimited rides because my home and office are both in Seoul. But Modu-ui Card's youth age limit is up to 34, so am I at a disadvantage?