Oh Se-hoon "Climate Companion Card, a Transportation Welfare System for the Underprivileged"

Seoul Mayor's New Year Press Conference "For Economically Vulnerable and Public Transportation Welfare"
Actively Addresses Public Fare Increase Issue... "Hangang River Bus Mainly for Commuting"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, "The Climate Companion Card is a discount system implemented as a form of transportation welfare for economically vulnerable groups and ordinary citizens who can make the most active use of public transportation in the truest sense."

At a New Year's press conference held at Seoul City Hall on the 17th, Mayor Oh emphasized the meaning and importance of the Climate Companion Card, a key project. The Climate Companion Card, an unlimited public transportation pass introduced by Seoul City, is scheduled to go on sale starting the 23rd.

As the basic subway fare in Seoul is expected to increase by 150 won in the second half of the year, some have claimed that this is to cover the losses from the Climate Companion Card. Mayor Oh explained, "From a superficial observation, such criticism is possible. However, fundamentally, the fare increase is fully explainable because everyone remembers how large the deficit was in public transportation."

On the 17th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the 2024 Press New Year Meeting held at Seoul City Hall on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, and answered reporters' questions. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Mayor Oh said, "Last year, to minimize the deficit in the public transportation system, a fare increase was implemented, but at the government's request, the increase was restrained from being done all at once. Instead, the bus fares were raised first, and the subway fares are being increased in two phases."

Mayor Oh emphasized, "If you connect this superficially, you might simply say the fares are being raised, but since the beneficiaries are those who use public transportation frequently, this is a very differentiated policy."

Additionally, regarding the Han River River Bus, which will operate starting in September, Mayor Oh introduced, "We focused on establishing the River Bus not as a tourist service but primarily as public transportation used during commuting hours. We plan to set the price at a level that allows it to function as public transportation without imposing a heavy economic burden."

On the 17th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the 2024 Press Corps New Year Meeting held at Seoul City Hall on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, and delivered a greeting. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Efforts to link the Climate Companion Card with neighboring local governments such as Gyeonggi and Incheon will continue. Mayor Oh stated, "Before full implementation, we plan to have another opportunity to discuss with local governments," adding, "We will make every effort to ensure that not only Seoul citizens but also residents of Gyeonggi Province and Incheon who commute to Seoul can use it without inconvenience."

Meanwhile, regarding the failure of the resident referendum on incorporating Gimpo City into Seoul held that day, Mayor Oh said, "New City and Mega City initiatives will likely proceed in earnest after the general election, and I think that is desirable. Practical discussions are ongoing, and we will have in-depth discussions as needed before the election."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.