HOT NEWS: Notice of Suspension and Transition of Seoul's 'Climate Card' Service – A Must-Read for Foreign Students in Seoul! 🚨
Hello, everyone! This is Vijob, your most reliable guide to life in Korea. 👋
A lot of people in Seoul are probably using the monthly ‘Climate Companion Card’ really conveniently for the subway and buses, right? But for those who use the Climate Companion Card, we’ve brought you very important news about a service change that you need to know right away. Check this in advance so you don’t get caught off guard if your transportation benefits suddenly stop!
📅 When will the existing Climate Companion Card be suspended?
Prepaid card (physical/mobile 30-day pass): Top-ups are available only until July 31. Any amount topped up for the last time on July 31 can be used until August 29 at the latest.
Postpaid card: Available only until August 31, and the service will end completely starting September 1.
Short-term passes (1, 2, 3, 5, 7-day passes): The short-term passes commonly used by tourists are not subject to the service shutdown and will continue operating normally, so you can rest easy!
⏳ When will the new ‘Climate Companion Card Plus’ be released?
Originally, the integrated new card combining the Climate Companion Card with the government’s K-Pass (tentatively named Climate Companion Card Plus) was scheduled to launch on July 1. However, due to system checks and budget coordination issues, final approval from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (Dae-gwang-wi) is being delayed. 😢
So, the exact release date is still undecided, and it may take a few more months. During this waiting period, Seoul City strongly recommends that you apply for and use the ‘K-Pass (Everyone’s Card)’ in advance so your transportation fee refunds don’t get interrupted! (If you are already using K-Pass, you can continue using it as is.)
✅ What should you prepare right now?
1️⃣ Prepaid users: Make your final top-up before July 31 and use it all up by August 29!
2️⃣ Postpaid users: Use it comfortably until August 31!
3️⃣ Apply for K-Pass in advance: To avoid any gap in transportation benefits, get your K-Pass card issued in advance through your bank’s app or the ‘Mobile T-money’ app.
4️⃣ Physical card refunds: If you don’t have a Korean bank account and need to get the remaining balance on a physical card refunded in cash, you must visit the T-money headquarters in person to receive a cash refund.
📞 Need help?
Dasan Call Center (Seoul City General Information): 120 without area code (foreign-language consultation available)
K-Pass Customer Center: 031-427-4415
💡 The card transition process may be a little complicated and inconvenient, but if you know the information in advance and prepare accordingly, you can avoid paying all your transportation costs out of pocket! Vijob will update you again as quickly as possible with new official news, such as the release date of the new card. 😉
For your frugal and smart student life in Korea, Vijob will always be here to support you.💙
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💬 Are you using a prepaid or postpaid card? Let us know in the comments—it’ll help other international students in the same situation too 🙌