A notification message from T-money alerting Climate Companion Card users to switch to the new Climate Companion Pass. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A notification message from T-money alerting Climate Companion Card users to switch to the new Climate Companion Pass. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it is urging existing Climate Companion Card users to switch ahead of next month's launch of the Climate Companion Pass, to ensure their public transit fare support benefits are not interrupted.

The number of Climate Companion Card users has been declining since June, when the city announced plans to consolidate its public transit fare support programs. Users of the 30-day pass fell from about 900,000 on June 29 to about 530,000 on Monday — a drop of roughly 370,000, or 40.9 percent.

The 30-day Climate Companion Card can be topped up through Aug. 31, and cards already loaded can be used through Sept. 29. Residents whose Climate Companion Card expires after that must switch to the Modui Card to continue receiving benefits.

The postpaid Climate Companion Card remains valid through Sept. 30, after which it reverts to a standard transit card with no fare support. Postpaid cardholders who want to continue receiving benefits — including fare refunds — must also switch to the Modui Card.

The city is running online and offline promotional campaigns across multiple channels to ensure Climate Companion Card users know they need to switch to the Modui Card, which will serve as the Climate Companion Pass.

Existing Climate Companion Card users are receiving periodic notification messages from T-money Co. with age-tailored guidance on how to make the switch, keeping them informed about the card's discontinuation and the transition process. On-site guidance is also being provided through notices posted on buses and subway cars, in-vehicle announcements and banner installations.

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 23, when the physical Climate Companion Pass card goes on sale, on-site promotional booths will operate at 12 major subway stations. The booths will offer existing Climate Companion Card holders an on-the-spot card exchange event.

Yeo Jang-gwon, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's transportation bureau, urged residents to switch to the Modui Card in advance. Those who do so will be able to use the Climate Companion Pass — which adds Seoul-specific services on top of the existing fuel-cost half-price discount — without any additional steps next month, he said.


ikson@heraldcorp.com