T-money

T-money

T-money is a rechargeable series of cards and other "smart" devices used for paying transportation fares in and around Seoul and other areas of South Korea. T-money can also be used in lieu of cash or credit cards in some convenience stores and other businesses. The T-money System has been implemented and is being operated by Korea Smart Card Co., Ltd which is 34.4% owned by Seoul Metropolitan City Government, 31.85% owned by LG CNS, and 15.73% owned by Credit Card Union.

Use

Similar to its predecessor, the "Seoul Bus Card", T-money can be used to pay for bus, subway and some taxi fares. T-money is accepted by:

• All Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, and Daejeon buses
• Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daegu and Daejeon Metropolitan Subway networks
• AREX, and Shin Bundang Line
• All Chungcheongnam-do and Chungcheongbuk-do buses
• All Gangneung, Wonju and Hoengseong buses in Gangwon-do
• All Andong, Gyeongsan, Yeongju, Bonghwa, Sangju, Mungyeong and Pohang, Gyeongju, Yecheon city buses in Gyeongsangbuk-do
• All Tongyeong and Geoje city buses in Gyeongsangnam-do
• All Jeju-do buses

Some stores and attractions including Seoul's four palaces (except Gyeonghuigung), Lotte World amusement park, Kyobo Book Centre, GS 25 and other selected convenience stores accept T-money as payment.

Card types

Standard

T-money cards cost 2,500 - 3,000 won and can be purchased and recharged at stations, banks, convenience stores and kiosks located adjacent to bus stops. Self-service recharge machines are also available. Cards can easily be scanned while within a purse or wallet, but can be damaged if bent or otherwise subjected to unnecessary force.

Discount cards

There are two types of discount cards available for sale, one for teenagers (age 13-18) and the other for children (age 7-12). One needs a proper ID such as a Youth Card or Student ID in order to purchase these cards. Discount cards must be registered via the Internet within 10 days after first use. Registration requires the number on the card, and a National ID number or Foreigner registration number, or, there is a form available on the t-money website (under English Errors) that can be emailed to customer service along with supporting documentation. Senior citizens are entitled to free transportation and can pick up free tickets at counters in subway stations.

Special cards

• T-money minus card:
• T-money plus card:

T-money accessories

T-money with cellphone

Smaller, more durable T-money cards with a lanyard for easy attachment to cell phones are also available, for about 6000~8000 won. Watches, dolls, MP3 players, portable memory sticks, rings and bands containing T-money chips are also on sale.

Related cards

• Metro Pass (정기권), a monthly pass for the Seoul and Incheon subway systems available at stations.
• Seoul Citypass, a one-day transportation card incorporating the Seoul City Tour Bus ticket and limited use of the metropolitan transportation system.
• Seoul Citypass Plus is an upgraded type of Seoul Citypass. This card is rechargeable, and sells discount cards.
• Mobile T-money is an IC chip which works with selected cell phones serviced by SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+. This chip can be used as a USIM chip.

Other cards

• eB Card(eBest Card, used in Gyeonggi & Incheon province), now discontinued. -> Upass but, Upass now discontinued. See cashBee.
• Sensepass T-money, previously Topcash T-money, sold in the Gyeongsangnam and Gyeongsangbuk Provinces except Andong. Not wholly compatible with Smart T-money.
• Hankkumi card, sold in the Daejeon. This is a rebranded version of Smart T-money.
• POP card, sold in GS25. This is a rebranded Smart T-money with GS&Point and Happy Point loyalty card.
• Narasarang Card, issued by Shinhan Card and NMD/MMA. This is a K-Cash enabled debit card with POP card functionality.

History

• April 22, 2004 : city government announced the name of new transit card called T-money. 'T' stands for travel, touch, traffic and technology.
• June 2004 : T-money terminals installed at stations. Several bugs had to be ironed out before full operation.
• July 1, 2004 : System officially inaugurated, with a day of free transit for all.
• October 15, 2005 : Incheon public transit system started to accept T-money.
• December 6, 2005 : T-money Internet refilling service started.
• November 13, 2006 : Gyeonggi-do transit system started to partially accept T-money.
• August 4, 2008 : Busan urban buses started to accept T-money.

See also

• RFID

External links

• Official site in Korean and in English
• Seoul Citypass
• T-Money: Seoul Official Tourism(English)
• Official site Hankkumi card