Seoul's Climate Companion Card, a key public transportation pass, is set to be phased out. The city announced that it will integrate operations with the government's Universal Card (K-Pass) due to overlapping functions causing confusion among citizens. However, this decision has sparked controversy over refund issues for existing users and the reduction of certain discounts.
Recently, the city revealed plans to gradually discontinue the 30-day Climate Companion Card and unify transportation subsidies under the Universal Card framework. Officials stated that the dual operation of similar public transportation support programs was leading to increased confusion and decreased administrative efficiency, prompting the move toward integration.
Current users of the Climate Companion Card can transition to the Universal Card and receive similar levels of transportation subsidies. However, the usage method will change slightly. The Universal Card operates on a reimbursement basis depending on usage, and the city plans to introduce a 'Climate Companion Card Plus' with additional Seoul-specific benefits in the future. Details of these services will be implemented after consultations with relevant agencies are completed.
The timeline for the phase-out has also been established. Users can recharge the prepaid Climate Companion Card until July 31, with the last recharge usable until August 29. The postpaid Climate Companion Card will retain existing discount benefits for August usage, after which it will function solely as a standard postpaid transportation card. In contrast, short-term passes for tourists, valid for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days, will continue to be available.
The purchase cost of the existing physical Climate Companion Card will not be refunded. The city explained that users can obtain the Universal Card in mobile or no-annual-fee debit card formats, minimizing additional card purchase burdens. The refund policy for annual fees may vary by card issuer.
The loss of certain discounts for some users has also raised concerns. Currently, the Universal Card offers youth discounts for individuals aged 19 to 34, while the previous Climate Companion Card included expanded discounts for those aged 35 to 39 and veterans, which have not yet been incorporated. The city is in discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to expand these related programs.
Seoul is working on a 'Climate Companion Card Plus' that combines the advantages of both the Climate Companion Card and the Universal Card, allowing users to choose between reimbursement and fixed-rate options based on their usage patterns. There are also plans to expand the range of services to include metropolitan buses and GTX, but final implementation will depend on the conclusion of discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Online reactions have been mixed. Some users expressed frustration, questioning, "Will those who bought the Climate Companion Card not get a refund?" and "I thought it was just a name change, but now I have to reapply for a new card." Others noted that the reduction in eligible youth discounts could disadvantage some individuals, while some users argued that consolidating similar programs is a positive step, stating, "It makes sense to unify rather than operate two similar programs," and "With reimbursement benefits, the Universal Card may actually be more advantageous for many people."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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