Seoul City: "Gyeonggi-do Must Make a Decisive Move to Join the Climate Companion Card for Residents"

"Gyeonggi-do Excluded from Resident Benefits Due to Non-Cooperation"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government urged Gyeonggi Province to make a decisive move to participate in the Climate Companion Card program to ensure the choice and benefits of Gyeonggi residents.

On the 29th, Seoul stated, "Although the participation of frontline (Gyeonggi) cities and counties in the Climate Companion Card project requires the cooperation of Gyeonggi Province, the province keeps repeating its stance that it is a matter of autonomous decision by the cities and counties," adding, "Gyeonggi Province is condemning Seoul for allegedly coercing frontline cities and counties to participate."

Kim Sang-soo, Director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Transportation Bureau, said the day before, "We agreed to promote transportation policies according to each area's conditions and circumstances, but now Seoul is coercing participation in its policy," and added, "Whether to participate in the Climate Companion Card is an autonomous decision of the cities and counties, and Gyeonggi Province will focus on the 'The Gyeonggi Pass' project." This was a rebuttal to Seoul's position.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 29th and used the Climate Companion Card to take the subway. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Currently, Seoul is promoting the expansion of the Climate Companion Card throughout the metropolitan area, but in Gyeonggi Province, since no agreement has been reached, the use of the Climate Companion Card is being expanded by signing business agreements at the city and county level.

Seoul explained on the same day, "Currently, Gyeonggi Province and its cities and counties share losses from public transportation operations, so without support at the provincial level, financially strained cities and counties find participation in the Climate Companion Card burdensome," and added, "The transportation card system applied to Gyeonggi buses is operated uniformly at the metropolitan government level, making it practically difficult for cities and counties to make changes."

Seoul also emphasized its policy to support 60% of the budget for cities and counties participating in the Climate Companion Card. The city stated, "When cities and counties request participation in the Climate Companion Card, Seoul negotiates on the premise of sharing transportation losses with the cities and counties," and added, "Since the scope of transportation agencies applied when Gyeonggi cities and counties participate includes many in Seoul, it can be expected that at least 60% of the budget will be invested by Seoul." Earlier, Director Kim claimed, "Neither Gyeonggi Province nor any city or county has ever discussed Seoul's claim of supporting 60% of the budget, and the basis for the 60% support is unclear."

Seoul said, "If frontline cities and counties cannot participate in the Climate Companion Card due to Gyeonggi Province's non-cooperation, Gyeonggi residents will ultimately only be able to use The Gyeonggi Pass, excluding them from choice and benefits," and added, "Gyeonggi Province should focus solely on its residents, make a decisive decision to participate in the Climate Companion Card, and simultaneously clarify whether technical and financial support will be provided to frontline cities and counties."

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