A new unlimited K-Pass card will be introduced, allowing users to get a full refund for any public transportation expenses exceeding the reimbursement threshold within a month. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Metropolitan Transport Commission announced on the 15th that it will expand the K-Pass project to significantly reduce the transportation costs for public transportation users.
K-Pass, which has been in operation since May last year, allows users who use public transportation more than 15 times a month to receive a refund of a certain percentage (20% to 53.3%) of their expenses. The Metropolitan Transport Commission will introduce the ‘Everyone’s Card,’ which will refund all excess expenses if the reimbursement threshold is exceeded within a month. This is expected to significantly reduce the transportation costs for frequent public transportation users such as commuters and students.
The reimbursement threshold will be applied differently by region, considering the state of public transportation infrastructure, so that users in areas with relatively difficult access to public transportation can also benefit. The card will be divided into two types: the standard type, which applies to transportation modes with a total usage fee of less than 3000 won per trip, including transfer fees, and the plus type, which applies to all transportation modes.
Users can continue to use their existing K-Pass cards without needing to issue a new card, and the system will automatically apply the highest reimbursement benefits based on the amount spent on public transportation. Considering that users’ lifestyles may vary each month due to factors such as school enrollment, employment, vacations, and holidays, the system will automatically apply the most beneficial reimbursement method based on the total amount spent each month, rather than requiring users to choose a reimbursement method in advance.