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 100% owned by Seoul Metropolitan City Government.

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·Gyeonggido·Incheon, Daejeon and Busan buses
• Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon and Busan Metropolitan Subway networks
• AREX
• All Chungcheongnamdo buses
• All Gangneung, Wonju and Hoengseong buses in Gangwondo
• All Andong and Pohang city buses in Gyeongsangbukdo
• All Tongyeong and Geoje city buses in Gyeongsangnamdo
• All Jeju Special Self-governing Province buses

Some stores and attractions including Lotte World amusement park, Kyobo Book Centre, GS 25 and other selected convenience stores accept T-money as cash.

Card types

Standard

T-money cards.

T-money cards cost 2500 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 7 days after first use. Registration requires a user name and a National ID number or Foreigner registration number. 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

Other types of T-money

Smaller, more durable T-money cards with a thread for easy attachment to cell phones are also available, for about 5000 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 cell phones serviced by SK Telecom and KTF. This chip can be used as a USIM chip.

Other cards

• eB T-money, now discontinued. See Upass
• Topcash T-money, sold in the Gyeongsangnam and Gyeongsangbuk Provinces except Andong.

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