Dongbaek Pass, Busan’s integrated transit discount system, launched a prepaid version to advantage those who had difficulty using it as they are foreigners and minors.

On March 18th, Busan launched the prepaid Dongbaek Pass, available to anyone without opening a bank account. The initial Dongbaek Pass operated only with a credit card payment method, where transportation card charges were settled on the fixed payment date. In this method, foreigners and people with low credit scores found it challenging to take advantage of the Dongbaek Pass.

The previous Dongbaek Pass was a combination of a post-paid transportation card linked to a bank account and a debit card, whereas the newly introduced one combines the Dongbaek Jeon card and rechargeable prepaid transportation card. The refund criteria for the prepaid one remained the same as the post-paid one. If the monthly usage of public transportation exceeds 45,000 won, the excess amount within the 45,000 won limit is refunded in the form of Dongbaek Jeon points.

The issuance process also remains the same as before. To issue a prepaid Dongbaek Jeon card, individuals can either visit the Busan Bank branch or use the Dongbaek Jeon application. They have to register for Dongbaek Pass to get their fare refunded. Before using public transportation, prepaid cards must be charged. Users can charge them at convenience stores, metro stations, and using the EZL Corp TOP-UP application. Those whose smartphones are not under their name or who use 2G phones can issue Dongbaek Jeon cards and sign up for the Dongbaek Pass at a Busan bank branch.

With the introduction of prepaid cards, foreigners residing in Busan will be able to take advantage of Dongbaek Pass. Until March 7th, 91 foreigners registered for the pass, accounting for 0.02% of the total of about 382 thousand subscribers. As signing up for the prepaid ones only requires the alien registration card, it is likely to see an increase in the number of foreign subscribers. Moon In-Ok (Manager, Transportation Policy Division of Busan) said, “From now on, foreigners can easily take advantage of the Dongbaek Pass. We hope this will make it more convenient for them to use buses and metros in Busan, thereby activating Busan’s public transportation system.”

Foreigners can get translated registration guides. The guides, written in English, Japanese, and Chinese, are available on the website of Busan Metropolitan City and also can be reached through the QR codes on the poster. Individuals can get information about it in newspapers in their preferred language: English, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Besides, the Dongbaek Pass will be linked with the K-pass of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Expected to be implemented in May, the K-pass returns a part of the monthly fare for public transportation in fixed ratio. The ratio differs according to how old the user is or how much money the user makes. Therefore, the refund percentage is 30% for the youths aged 19 to 34, 53% for the low incomers, and 20% for the others. For foreigners, this is only available for those with a valid visa with a remaining duration  of more than six months, and they need an alien registration card or resident registration certificate in Korea to register the K-pass.

However, the concrete plan for connecting Dongbaek Pass and K-pass is currently being discussed. Manager Moon said, “We are now discussing a direction that can provide benefits to citizens by combining the advantages of Dongbaek Pass and K-pass, particularly supplementing for the price range under 45,000 won, which the current pass hasn’t covered. The connected plan will be implemented in the second half of this year.”

Reporter Lee Soo-Hyun

Translated by Lee Soo-Hyun