W70b ($52m) project upgrades 276 stations, 6,101 ticket gate terminals to next-generation system
New transit card terminals, tagless service and EMV payment infrastructure boost convenience and accessibility
Operator selection in December, construction to follow ... next-generation transit service targeted for December 2027
Seoul Metro will overhaul the transit card collection system it has operated for the past decade.
Seoul Metro said it launched a call for bidders for the "Phase 3 Transit Card Collection System Construction Project" in late August and plans to select an operator by December before beginning full-scale system construction.
System built in 2017 upgraded to next-generation platform after a decade
The project covers the entire transit card collection system currently in operation, including 6,101 transit card terminals installed across 276 stations on Seoul Metro's Lines 1 through 8. The existing system, built in 2017, comprises various facilities needed for subway fare payment and collection, including transit card terminals, station computers, settlement machines and card-charging devices. By upgrading these systems to a next-generation platform, Seoul Metro will also lay the groundwork for new transit services.
'Where do I tap my card?' ... Integrated screen-and-reader terminals introduced
Currently, the card-tapping area of ticket gate terminals is separate from the display that shows information to users. This has caused some passengers to struggle to locate the correct tag spot, forcing them to tap their cards again or delaying passage through the gates.
The Phase 3 system will feature new terminals that integrate the card-tapping area and the display into a single unit. A larger screen will make it easier to check key information such as fares and transaction results, while the card-tapping spot will be made instantly recognizable.
Seoul Metro expects the change to reduce the inconvenience of repeated card taps and improve the flow of passengers through ticket gates.
Passing through without stopping ... Tagless service introduced
One of the biggest changes under the Phase 3 system is the introduction of tagless service. Tagless service allows passengers to pass through ticket gates simply by carrying their smartphone, without having to take out a transit card and tap it against a terminal.
By eliminating the steps of taking out a card, tapping it and putting it back, the service is expected to ease the burden on passengers carrying items in both hands. It should also help people with mobility challenges — including wheelchair users, the visually impaired and older adults — who often struggle to pull out a card and tap it in exactly the right spot. Seoul Metro plans to apply tagless service first to gates designated for passengers with mobility challenges.
EMV payment infrastructure built for foreign passengers
Seoul Metro is also pushing to build an EMV-based payment environment to make transit more convenient for foreign passengers. EMV — short for Europay, Mastercard and Visa — is an international open-payment standard that lets users pay by tapping a credit or debit card equipped with EMV specifications against a terminal. Through this project, Seoul Metro plans to install ticket gate terminals that support EMV payments. This will lay the groundwork to eventually expand public transit payment services to credit and debit cards issued overseas.
However, installing EMV terminals under this project does not mean overseas-issued cards can be used on the Seoul subway immediately. Launching an actual payment service will require further discussions among greater Seoul transit operators on system integration, settlement structures, related regulations and fees.
For now, the project will focus on preemptively building the terminals and system infrastructure needed to support EMV service, while the actual launch and timing will be decided through consultations with relevant agencies and related procedures.
Next-generation transit service targeted for launch in December 2027
The Phase 3 transit card collection system project upgrades ticket gate terminals and related transit card equipment to a next-generation platform. It also reshapes how passengers use the subway to fit a new environment.
Seoul Metro plans to select an operator by December and begin system construction. After sufficient testing and verification, it will launch the Phase 3 transit card collection system — including tagless service — in December 2027.
Kim Ki-byung, head of Seoul Metro's Technology Division, said, "This Phase 3 transit card collection system project will not simply replace the existing system — it will mark a turning point that elevates the overall subway experience for citizens." He added, "We will build a stable foundation for new transit services such as tagless and EMV, and continue to innovate our services so that all passengers, including those with mobility challenges and foreign visitors, can use the subway more conveniently."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
