Promotional material for the Climate Companion Card posted at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Line 5 on the morning of Jun. 30. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

From as early as next summer, the climate companion card, an unlimited public transportation card for Seoul, will be usable on the Suin-Bundang Line section in Seongnam, Gyeonggi province. This is expected to enhance commuting convenience for citizens traveling from Seongnam to Seoul.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin signed a business agreement on the 27th for the 'Seoul-Seongnam Climate Companion Card Project Participation.' Both sides plan to enable the use of the climate companion card at 10 stations of the Suin-Bundang Line in Seongnam (Gachon University, Taepyeong, Moran, Yatap, Imae, Seohyeon, Sunae, Jeongja, Migeum, and Ori) from the second half of next year. Currently, the climate companion card can be used on Line 8 (24 stations) passing through Seongnam and on 11 Seoul-licensed city bus routes.

Seoul city is expanding the usage range of the climate companion card by signing agreements with Incheon, Gimpo, Gwacheon, Goyang, Namyangju, and Guri in Gyeonggi province. A total of 504 subway stations (397 in Seoul and 107 in the metropolitan area) accommodate the climate companion card.

The climate companion card is a public transportation pass that allows unlimited rides on Seoul subways and buses for around 60,000 won per month. Since its launch by Seoul city in January, 700,000 people have been using it monthly. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted, 'We urge many local governments to participate for transportation welfare.'