Benefits for "Everyone's Card," which refunds transportation costs when you spend a certain amount (refund threshold) or more, are being expanded. As the refund threshold is cut in half from the current standard, users will be able to get more money back.
The Metropolitan Transport Commission of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said on the 17th that with the 2026 supplementary budget bill passing the National Assembly, it will cut the Everyone's Card refund threshold by 50% for six months starting this month.
For example, say a student commuting to Seoul from Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, using a metropolitan bus and the Great Train Express (GTX) spends 130,000 won each month on transportation. Originally, the student could get back only 40,000 won, the amount exceeding the 90,000 won refund threshold. But starting this month, with the threshold halved, the student will receive 85,000 won (130,000 − 45,000 won).
Also, for percentage-based refunds rather than flat-rate refunds, the refund rate increases by 30 percentage points (p) when using public transportation just before or after commuting hours. The higher refund rate applies from 5:30–6:30 a.m., 9–10 a.m., 4–5 p.m., and 7–8 p.m.
Accordingly, low-income users can receive refunds for up to 83.3% of their transportation spending, and the general public up to 50%. An official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said, "There is no need for individuals to choose between a flat rate and a percentage rate," adding, "Everyone's Card calculates the refund amounts under both methods and chooses the one that returns more money."