{
  "id": 642113,
  "title": "Seoul urges transit riders to trade in climate cards ahead of Sept. 1 overhaul",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/seoul-urges-transit-riders-to-trade-in-climate-cards-ahead-of-sept-1",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-12T07:37:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260812/seoul-urges-transit-riders-to-trade-in-climate-cards-ahead-of-sept-1-overhaul"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul is urging its transit riders to switch from the Climate Card to a new nationwide discount program called the Climate Companion Card before the program's overhaul on September 1, according to the city government. The new card, locally known as Everyone's Card, merges the national government's K-pass discount system with city-specific benefits. These perks include extending youth fare discounts to residents up to age 39. The Climate Card, introduced in January 2024, was Korea's first unlimited transit pass. However, Seoul is now integrating it into the broader national framework following the central government's introduction of its own unlimited transit pass under the K-pass umbrella in 2024. The city aims to provide nationwide usability, enhanced cash-back benefits, and city-specific advantages under one system. Since the announcement of the transition on June 17, the number of active 30-day pass holders has dropped significantly. As of Monday, there were roughly 530,000 active 30-day pass holders, down from about 900,000 on June 29, representing a 41% decrease.",
  "summary": "Seoul is ramping up outreach urging users of its Climate Card transit pass to switch to a new nationwide discount program before a major overhaul takes effect Sept. 1, the city government said Wednesday. The new offering, known as the Climate Companion Card — and marketed locally as \"Everyone's Card\" — combines the national government’s K-pass discount system with Seoul-specific perks, including…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul urges transit riders to switch Climate Cards before September 1 overhaul.",
    "New nationwide Climate Companion Card merges K-pass and city-specific benefits.",
    "Youth fare discounts extended to residents up to age 39 under new system."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul urges transit riders to trade in climate cards ahead of Sept. 1 overhaul",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/seoul-urges-transit-riders-to-trade-in-climate-cards-ahead-of-sept-1-643021",
        "published": "2026-08-12T07:47:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}