Seoul's monthly transit pass users angered by service suspension

Commuters are growing frustrated as Seoul prepares to end its flagship Climate Card service next month before its replacement, Climate Card Plus, is fully integrated with the Modu Card system, raising concerns over a bumpy transition.

The disruption stems from Seoul's plan to replace the Climate Card with Climate Card Plus, a successor designed to integrate with the transport ministry's K-Pass, which offers similar public transit discounts.

However, delays in coordinating the integration between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport have postponed the transition, leaving commuters facing uncertainty until the new system is ready.

Introduced in 2024, the Climate Card, available in both prepaid and postpaid versions, allows users unlimited rides on Seoul's buses and subway for 62,000 won ($41.82) a month.

The pass also offers discounted fares to certain groups, including an 11 percent discount for young adults aged 19 to 39, reducing the monthly cost to 55,000 won, and a higher discount that lowers the fare to 45,000 won for low-income r ...