Seoul Transit Card Faces Service Gap as Successor Faces Delays

Seoul's flagship transportation initiative, the Climate Ticketing Card, is set to conclude next month, but its replacement, the "Climate Ticketing Card Plus," is experiencing significant delays. The integration with the national "K-Pass" system, intended to streamline services and save an estimated 140 billion to 150 billion won annually, is progressing slower than anticipated.

The original Climate Ticketing Card, which offered unlimited travel within Seoul for a fixed monthly fee, will cease operations on September 1. While prepaid cards can be charged until July 31 and used until August 29, post-paid card users will retain their existing discount benefits only for August usage before reverting to a standard transit card function. Shorter-term passes for tourists will continue.

Seoul City had planned to launch "Climate Ticketing Card Plus" with enhanced, city-specific benefits before the original card's expiration to minimize disruption. However, coordination with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Area Transit Commission has lagged. This delay means a gap in service is likely, leaving some users without the additional benefits previously provided by Seoul's budget.

“

The Climate Ticketing Card Plus is expected to be released in the fourth quarter.

Currently, the national K-Pass only offers discounts for individuals aged 19-34. The Climate Ticketing Card had extended these benefits to 35-39 year olds and included discounts for veterans, bike-sharing services, and cultural facilities. These extra perks are expected to be unavailable until the "Climate Ticketing Card Plus" is launched, which is now projected for the fourth quarter of this year, or potentially later.

Seoul officials are urging citizens to use the K-Pass in the interim and are working to expedite the launch of the new card to mitigate user inconvenience. However, without a confirmed launch date before the original card's termination, continued confusion and a loss of benefits for some users appear inevitable.

“

We are in discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to expedite the release of the successor product and minimize user inconvenience.