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 extending youth fare discounts to residents up to age 39.

Launched in January 2024 as Korea's pioneering unlimited transit pass, the Climate Card is now being folded into the broader national framework after the central government introduced its own unlimited-style transit pass under the K-pass umbrella this year. Seoul said it is consolidating the programs to offer nationwide usability, stronger cash-back benefits and its own city-specific perks under a single system.

Since the city announced the transition June 17, usage of the original Climate Card has dropped sharply. The number of active 30-day pass holders fell to roughly 530,000 as of Monday from about 900,000 on June 29 — a 41 percent drop over 40 days, according to city data.

To ease the shift, Seoul is extending the existing Climate Card program by one month. Prepaid 30-day passes can still be topped up through Aug. 31, with active balances remaining usable through Sept. 29.

Meanwhile, postpaid versions, which require no manual topping up, will function normally through Sept. 30. Starting Oct. 1, unswitched postpaid cards will revert to standard transit cards without fare discounts unless holders transition to the new pass.

City authorities are notifying existing cardholders through targeted mobile alerts tailored by age group, complemented by in-station signage, audio announcements and promotional banners across bus and subway networks.

From Sept. 1-23, the city will also operate promotional booths across 12 major subway stations. Current Climate Card users can turn in their old physical cards for a free Climate Companion Pass, while staff will provide on-site setup assistance for elderly residents. Commuters who have already switched to the new card can also trade in their old ones at the booths for coffee or convenience store vouchers.

“Ahead of the Climate Companion Pass launch, we are stepping up outreach and guidance so citizens can seamlessly continue receiving transit discounts,” said Yeo Jang-kwon, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Transportation Bureau. “By switching to 'Everyone's Card' early, residents will keep receiving the temporary fuel-subsidy discount through September while automatically unlocking the Seoul-specific perks of the Climate Companion Pass starting Sept. 1 without any additional procedures. We encourage everyone to make the switch early.”

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.