Tmoney time-out wreaks havoc at bus terminals

A system error in transportation card provider Tmoney’s network on Sunday caused an inconvenience as passengers across bus terminals nationwide could get tickets.

A customer is unable to purchase a ticket at Gwangju Central Bus Terminal on Sunday afternoon. [YONHAP]

A system error in transportation card provider Tmoney’s network on Sunday caused inconveniences as passengers across bus terminals nationwide couldn't get tickets.

According to the bus and terminal companies, a malfunction in the Tmoney express and intercity bus network began around 1 p.m., shutting down the Tmoney application and on-site ticketing machines.

About 140 terminals were affected, including the Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho District, southern Seoul. Additionally, it was reported that some taxis using Tmoney also experienced issues with trip registration and fare collection.

The number of users waiting in the app exceeded 100,000 at 1:43 p.m.

“We ask for your understanding regarding the delay in service due to a high number of users at this time,” said Tmoney application representatives in an online notice. “If you wait a moment, you will be able to use the service without issue.”

The error was resolved in approximately an hour and 30 minutes.

Each terminal activated an emergency ticketing system, switching to on-site reservations and issuing tickets for cash. In cases where bus departure times were imminent, passengers were allowed to board after only their personal details were verified.

“At around 1:06 p.m., a system malfunction occurred at Tmoney’s Bupyeong Center, affecting certain Tmoney services, such as taxi fare-processing and express and intercity bus services,” said a Tmoney representative.

“We will make every effort to develop a compensation plan for affected customers.”

An error in the Tmoney network lasted over an hour in October 2021, also disrupting ticketing operations at Seoul Express Bus Terminal.

Update, Oct. 27 : Added information about previous Tmoney server crash in 2021.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]