Foreign Students Also Enjoy 'K-Pass' Benefits... A Comprehensive Summary of Transportation Cost Reduction Strategies by Local Governments

The convenience of public transportation for foreign students residing in the country is expected to improve significantly. With the simplification of the enrollment process for the public transportation fare refund support project 'K-Pass' promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the accessibility for students who have not been able to benefit from the complicated authentication process has greatly increased. This change has been made possible by the integration of the foreign registration number authentication system with card companies and related organizations, and it is expected to alleviate the financial burden on students during this era of high prices.

K-Pass is a transportation card that allows users to receive a certain percentage of their spending back the following month if they use public transportation such as city buses or subways regularly more than 15 times a month. The general public can receive a 20% refund, young people (ages 19-34) can receive 30%, and low-income individuals can receive up to 53%. Most foreign students fall into the young category, making them likely to receive a 30% refund benefit. Users can issue a K-Pass exclusive card through the websites or apps of major card companies, and after completing membership registration and card registration on the official app or website, they can immediately enjoy the benefits.

In addition to the K-Pass at the central government level, it is necessary to carefully compare the unique transportation cost support policies operated by each local government. If a student resides in Seoul, it is worth considering the unlimited public transportation pass of Seoul City, the 'Climate Companion Card'. By paying a certain amount around 60,000 won per month, users can use the subway, buses, and public bicycles (Dda-reungi) in Seoul without limit, which is advantageous for students who travel frequently within Seoul and often use Dda-reungi. However, it should be noted that the use of the Shinbundang Line or express buses that go beyond Seoul may be restricted.

On the other hand, foreign students residing in Gyeonggi Province or Incheon may find the 'The Gyeonggi Pass' or 'Incheon I-Pass', which expand the benefits based on K-Pass, to be more advantageous. These regional passes provide additional benefits such as unlimited refunds by removing the monthly limit of 60 refunds and expanding the age range for youth benefits up to 39 years old. In particular, for students who mainly use express buses or the Shinbundang Line between Gyeonggi Province and Seoul, the K-Pass-based regional card with distance-based fare systems offers greater practical savings than the Climate Companion Card.

Experts advise analyzing one's residence, commuting patterns, and average monthly public transportation usage to choose the most suitable card. If one mainly travels within Seoul and the monthly transportation cost exceeds 80,000 won, the Climate Companion Card is advantageous, but if one travels between Seoul and Gyeonggi/Incheon or has irregular monthly usage, the K-Pass, which can be used anywhere nationwide and refunds based on usage, is more reasonable. It is advisable for foreign students to check the specific enrollment methods and eligibility requirements for benefits through the local government websites or foreign student support centers.