Starting Saturday, November 30, the Climate Companion Card will be available at all subway stations in Goyang City. Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) signed an agreement with Seoul City on March 25 to expand the Climate Companion Card and has been conducting follow-up discussions.
The Climate Companion Card is an innovative transportation card that allows unlimited use of public transportation for 50,000 to 60,000 won per month. Since its launch in January of this year, it has been receiving great response, with the maximum number of users on weekdays exceeding 600,000.
Goyang City is a large city with a population of 1.08 million, the largest in size among Gyeonggi local governments adjacent to Seoul, and has been working to develop a metropolitan transportation system by closely sharing the metropolitan area’s common living area for a long time.
As the number of citizens commuting to and from both cities is increasing due to the successive large-scale residential development in Samsong, Wonheung, Hyangdong, and Deokeun, the expanded introduction of the Climate Companion Card has greater significance in terms of joint development of the metropolitan area.
In Goyang City, the card can be used additionally at 10 stations on Line 3 (Daehwa-Samsong), 10 stations on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line (Tanhyeon-Korea Airways University), and 6 stations on the Seohae Line (Ilsan-Neunggok). In addition, it can be used on 28 Seoul City licensed buses that pass through Goyang City, so it is expected to greatly improve the transportation convenience of Goyang citizens. In addition, as Gwacheon City also begins the project on the 30th, the section used on Line 4 will also be expanded.
The usage price is the same as in Seoul. The 30-day pass costs 65,000 won (62,000 won if Ttareung is not included), and young people aged 19 to 39 can benefit from an additional 7,000 won discount to 58,000 won (55,000 won if Ttareung is not included). You can. In particular, we operate a short-term ticket that can be used for 1 to 5 days, which can be useful for foreign tourists and domestic travelers.
In particular, you can receive additional cultural and leisure benefits with the Climate Companion Card. By showing your card, you can enter Seoul Grand Park at a 50% discount, and you can also use Yeouido Park’s ‘Seoul Moon’, which has recently become a hot topic on social media, at a 10% discount. You can also enjoy popular performances and exhibitions, such as the National Ballet’s Theater of Light, at a discounted price.
A city official said, “As the burden of public transportation costs is increasing in this era of high inflation, I believe that the Climate Companion Card will reduce the household burden on citizens a little. “We will strive to provide stable services to citizens,” he said.
For more information about using the Climate Companion Card, please contact the Goyang City Bus Policy Department (☎031-8075-2974), the Goyang Citizens’ Service Call Center (☎031-909-9000), or the Seoul City 120 Dasan Call Center.
Meanwhile, Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) announced that it had operated cooking classes for upwardly mobile households who moved into rental housing with a stable residential environment through the upward mobility support project.
Cooking classes help people who live in poor residential environments such as gosiwons, greenhouses, and lodging facilities and who had difficulty cooking for themselves regain the daily joy of cooking in their new residence and improve their quality of life through a balanced diet, leading to healthier lives. It was designed to support you in doing so.
The cooking class was held at the Tokyo Cooking Academy near Hwajeong Station, and 12 dishes were made in a total of 4 sessions on November 13th, 15th, 20th, and 22nd.
The training was conducted with a professional instructor, and recipes for foods such as braised pork and cabbage, chive neck steak, cucumber and tomato sesame seasoning, and bean sprout squid bulgogi were provided so that participants could easily cook them. In addition, the cooking was conducted by instructors and training participants themselves.
On the first day of training, the participants had difficulty peeling potatoes, but as the training sessions passed, they gradually improved and were able to complete several dishes without any help. In addition to learning how to cook, we also had the opportunity to communicate with our neighbors by tasting each other’s food and helping others in need.
Economy Queen Reporter Hongmi Kim / Photo Goyang City
.
What are the expected environmental benefits of the Climate Companion Card in Goyang City?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Urban Transport Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. Choi! Thank you for joining us today. With the upcoming launch of the Climate Companion Card in Goyang City, there’s a lot of buzz around this innovative transport solution. Could you start by explaining what makes this card unique?
Dr. Choi (DC): Absolutely! The Climate Companion Card is not just a standard transportation pass; it offers unlimited public transportation usage for a monthly fee ranging between 50,000 to 60,000 won. This is particularly noteworthy given its affordable pricing in an era of rising living costs, making it easier for daily commuters and travelers to navigate the city seamlessly.
TNE: That’s fascinating! You mentioned the card’s affordability amidst inflation. How do you see this impacting residents, especially in a large metropolitan area like Goyang?
DC: The Climate Companion Card is a significant step towards easing the financial burden on residents. Goyang City has over a million residents, and with the recent residential developments, a lot of people commute to Seoul for work or leisure. The card will not only facilitate easier access to transportation but also promote public transport usage, which can lead to reduced traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.
TNE: And what about the geographic scope? The card is set to be used across multiple transportation lines. How does this contribute to the overall metropolitan transportation network?
DC: By allowing use across additional lines—like Line 3 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line—along with licensed buses that pass through Goyang, the card enhances connectivity between the two cities. This kind of integration is vital for a fluid transportation system in urban areas, fostering a cohesive metropolitan environment that benefits commuters and supports local economies.
TNE: It sounds like a game-changer! What kind of discounts and benefits does this card provide beyond public transportation?
DC: One of the exciting features is the cultural and leisure benefits. Cardholders get discounts for popular spots like Seoul Grand Park and various performances, which can encourage residents to engage more with local art and culture. This not only benefits the users but also helps local businesses thrive.
TNE: That’s a great initiative! With Gwacheon City also launching a similar project on the same day, can you comment on the significance of this trend towards regional collaboration?
DC: Collaboration between cities like Goyang and Gwacheon is crucial. It reflects a regional strategy focusing on joint development and shared resources. This kind of partnership can lead to more streamlined services and efficiencies, ultimately benefiting the entire metropolitan area and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
TNE: As we wrap up, what do you think is the biggest challenge that the Climate Companion Card might face after its launch?
DC: One potential challenge is ensuring that capacity keeps pace with demand. With over 600,000 users on weekdays already, the infrastructure must support the increased load. Additionally, ongoing public awareness about the benefits of using the card and public transport is essential to maximize its uptake. However, if managed well, the Climate Companion Card can truly transform urban mobility in Goyang and beyond.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Choi! It’s exciting to see public transportation developing in such a thoughtful and inclusive way. We look forward to following the success of the Climate Companion Card.
DC: Thank you for having me! Let’s keep an eye on how this initiative evolves — it could set a precedent for other cities in the region.