Comparison of K Pass, The Gyeonggi Pass, Incheon I Pass, and Climate Companion Card. You can use the economical transportation card by converting it to a K-Pass. Data = each company
[비즈월드] ‘K-Pass, Gyeonggi Pass, Climate Companion Card, and Economical Transportation Card… ‘
Amid confusion about which transportation discount card to choose, which has been issued by various local governments and government agencies, which has become an issue recently, the reporter has personally summarized the benefits and disadvantages.
According to the financial sector on the 25th, starting May 1st, the ‘K-Pass’ project, which includes transportation fee discount benefits, will be launched under the supervision of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
‘K-Pass’ is a transportation card that allows 20% of the general public, 30% of the young people, and 53% of the low-income group to receive a refund in the next month if they use public transportation such as city buses and subways more than 15 times a month. Benefits also apply to GTX-A, metropolitan buses, and private railways (Shinbundang Line, etc.) and can be used nationwide (excluding some local governments with a population of less than 100,000 people).
In particular, it is easy to understand K-Pass if you think of it as an alternative version of the economical transportation card previously managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The method of providing additional points when the travel distance is long has been changed to the method of providing points regardless of the distance traveled, and has been changed to be compatible on a nationwide basis. Existing economical transportation card users can switch to K-Pass by the 30th.
To issue a K-Pass, you must use the official website or 11 card companies (Shinhan, Hana, Woori, Hyundai, Samsung, BC, KB Kookmin, NH Nonghyup, T-money, DGB U-Pay, and Joy of Moving).
If you use one of the 11 credit card companies, you can receive an additional 10% transportation discount, but to receive additional benefits, credit cards require an annual fee and check cards require performance from the previous month. In order to receive K-Pass benefits after card issuance, you need to sign up for K-Pass membership or switch membership from an economical transportation card to K-Pass.
‘The Gyeonggi Pass’ is a card that adds Gyeonggi-do benefits to the K-Pass. Any Gyeonggi-do resident over the age of 19 can use it. When using public transportation more than 15 times a month, an unlimited refund of 30% is given to young people aged 19 to 39, 20% to the general public, and 53% to low-income people anywhere in the country. It is noteworthy that the youth range has been increased from 34 to 39. Additionally, children and teenagers receive up to 240,000 won per year, not a discount.
If your address is in Gyeonggi-do, The Gyeonggi Pass is applied simply by issuing a K-Pass. This applies without exception even when changing from an economical transportation card to a K Pass. Those wishing to sign up for a new subscription can apply for issuance through the K-Pass website, app, or 11 card companies.
The ‘Incheon I Pass’ has the same benefits as The Gyeonggi Pass, but the difference is that it supports up to 120,000 won for children and teenagers. In addition, a 30% discount instead of 20% will be provided to seniors over 65 years of age who receive general benefits, and the discount will be gradually expanded to 50%.
Both The Gyeonggi Pass and Incheon I-Pass receive unlimited refunds without the K-Pass’s maximum 60 times per month limit. Like K-Pass, it is structured in such a way that transportation expenses are paid in advance and then settled (cashback) the following month.
The ‘Climate Companion Card’ is a system operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and has a very different feel from previous transportation benefits. If you pay 62,000 won per month (65,000 won including Ttareungi or Hangang River Bus) in advance, you can use unlimited subways, subways, village buses, and city buses in Seoul.
Young people (19 to 34 years old) can use the Climate Companion Card for 55,000 won or 58,000 won (Ttareungi), but the benefits are scheduled to apply from July. It is easy to understand that discounts made before July can also be refunded from T-money later, so they are still being applied.
If you are an ordinary person (excluding young people) and you spend more than 77,500 won on transportation in Seoul, excluding Ddareungi, it is more attractive to use the Climate Companion Card than the K-Pass.
If you are a young person between the ages of 19 and 34, live in Seoul, and spend more than 78,500 won on transportation within Seoul alone, purchasing a Climate Companion Card is still attractive. The results were calculated based on the calculation that K-Pass provides a 20% discount to the general public and a 30% discount to young people.
However, if you are a low-income person, you cannot receive the benefits of the Climate Companion Card, so the K-Pass is likely to be beneficial. Excluding Gyeonggi and Incheon, the number of uses of the K-Pass is limited to less than 60 times per month, so it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons of using it more than that.
Of course, in all situations, use of intercity buses to and from Gyeonggi-do, discounts due to credit card companies, etc. must be taken into consideration. Discounts are excluded for regular railways such as Mugunghwa and KTX.
An official from a card company said, “K-Pass generally has more benefits than the Gifu Companion Card, but if you are a customer who uses transportation a lot in downtown Seoul, the Gifu Companion Card may be better.” He added, “If issued by a card company, there are various benefits other than transportation card discounts. “If you are interested, please look for it,” he advised.
[비즈월드=최상규 기자 / csgwe@bizwnews.com]
