Vacationers go to Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, Oct. 9. Yonhap
The federal government has begun reviewing a system that might permit overseas vacationers to make use of buses and subways in Korea with overseas-issued bank cards, officers stated Sunday.
The land and transport just lately launched a bid to fee a examine on introducing an open-loop public transportation fee system, which was to start this month and run via the top of subsequent 12 months, based on the officers.
The examine goals to allow foreigners to pay public transportation fares immediately with worldwide bank cards. At present, guests should buy and high up transportation playing cards with money or purchase pay as you go playing cards designed particularly for foreigners, which frequently causes inconvenience.
By the examine, the ministry plans to estimate the finances required to introduce the brand new system and decide who ought to bear the associated prices.
The necessity for enchancment has grown because the variety of overseas guests rose 15.2 % on-year to fifteen.82 million in the course of the January-October interval.
Main world cities, together with New York and London, have already adopted techniques that permit passengers to make use of public transportation with their very own bank cards.
“It will be tough to roll out the system nationwide over a brief interval in order that the federal government is more likely to undertake a phased enlargement in session with native governments and public transportation operators,” a authorities official stated.
If the examine results in a choice to introduce the system, precise implementation might start as early as 2027, he added.
