Climate Card not 'politically' against Gyeonggi, says Seoul Mayor

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stressed that the capital’s unlimited transportation pass, the Climate Card, is not a policy to be discussed "politically” amid ongoing conflict with the neighboring Gyeonggi over its participation in the scheme.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks during a press conference held with foreign correspondents at City Hall in downtown Seoul on Feb. 28. [NEWS1]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stressed that the capital’s unlimited transportation pass, the Climate Card, is not a policy to be discussed "politically” amid ongoing conflict with the neighboring Gyeonggi over its participation in the scheme.

The remark came as Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon claimed that the Seoul mayor was making a "political gesture" by criticizing Gyeonggi's refusal to participate in the transportation scheme.

In a debate hosted by a Gyeonggi-based press association on Monday, Gov. Kim said that the province announced its own transit pass after agreeing with the capital that they would each initiate transportation schemes “catered to different metropolitan cities.”

The province is set to launch its transportation reimbursement service called The Gyeonggi Pass in May.

Following the governor's remark, the capital's mayor wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the two localities should cooperate rather than compete when implementing two different policies with the same purpose.

“It seems like the governor believes that The Gyeonggi Pass would be enough for commuters, but this is not the case for most Gyeonggi residents commuting to Seoul for work,” Oh wrote, calling for negotiations between the two localities "to alleviate the economic burden" of those living in Seoul’s neighboring cities.

A commuter taps in with Climate Card, the capital's unlimited transit pass, to enter a subway station in downtown Seoul on Jan. 28. [NEWS1]

Seoul launched an unlimited transit pass within the capital, the Climate Card, on Jan. 27 to encourage commuters to use public transportation within the city.

Those living in Gyeonggi have been limited from using the latest transportation pass as the province "refused to negotiate to join the scheme," according to the Seoul mayor. Instead, the province is set to launch its transit scheme called The Gyeonggi Pass in May.

Unlike Seoul’s Climate Card, in which commuters are required to top up the card for limitless rides over a month, The Gyeonggi Pass service will reimburse users a certain amount of expenditure each month.

The Gyeonggi Pass users between 19 and 39 can receive a 30 percent refund for unlimited rides, while other age groups can enjoy a 20 percent refund for unlimited rides.

Seoul’s Climate Card is currently offered at two price schemes — 62,000 won ($47) for unlimited rides on subways and buses, or 65,000 won to also use the capital’s public bicycles or Ttareungi.

Young commuters between the ages of 19 and 34 are offered a more affordable price at either 55,000 won a month or 58,000 won. During the pilot period of the Climate Card, these commuters will still need to pay the regular cost of public transportation. They would be reimbursed the discounted amount used through June when the project officially kicks off in July.

Three Gyeonggi cities, including Gimpo, Gwacheon and Gunpo, have separately announced earlier that they will join the Climate Card scheme. However, discussions are still ongoing between the localities on how to expand and implement the scheme, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

From April, the transit pass is set to be additionally usable at intercity buses traveling between Incheon and Gimpo, as well as the Gimpo Gold Line. The Climate Card currently covers subways and city buses in the capital, excluding the Shinbundang Line and intercity buses connecting Seoul to the adjacent Gyeonggi and Incheon.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]