The Gyeonggi Pass Exceeds 1.58 Million Subscribers Since Launch in May Last Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gab-dong] The Gyeonggi Pass, which refunds a portion of transportation costs across all public transportation nationwide, has exceeded 1.58 million subscribers.

Since its launch in May of last year, The Gyeonggi Pass has attracted consistent interest from provincial residents, surpassing 1 million subscribers in October 2024, reaching 1.3 million in April 2025, and recording 1.58 million as of December 2025.

The Gyeonggi Pass directly contributed to 71% of 1,000 provincial residents surveyed April 25-28 answering that the 8th civilian-elected administration's transportation policy "did well." In sectoral evaluation, the policy of "mitigating transportation cost burden through The Gyeonggi Pass and others" received positive evaluation from 66%, ranking first.

Gyeonggi Province attributed this favorable response to livelihood recovery through transportation cost refunds and environmental impact through increased public transportation usage.

First, when the Gyeonggi Research Institute surveyed 500 users of The Gyeonggi Pass from March to July this year about how they spent their savings, approximately 56% answered they used the money for consumption such as dining out and leisure. Based on this and calculating from the refund amount over the past year of approximately 190.8 billion won, a consumer spending creation effect of approximately 107.2 billion won emerged.

Analysis of actual usage records of The Gyeonggi Pass refund recipients showed that the average number of public transportation uses per person increased from 29 times in May 2024 to 39 times in November 2024. Considering this, the Gyeonggi Research Institute calculated greenhouse gas reduction, estimating annual CO2eq (carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction of approximately 220,000 tons. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by approximately 11 million 30-year-old pine trees over one year.

The Gyeonggi Pass refunds 20-53% of monthly public transportation costs. Users can receive refunds when using any public transportation nationwide including buses, subways, intercity buses, GTX, and Shinbundang Line. Specifically, when using public transportation 15 or more times per month, it refunds 20-53% (30% for people in their 20s-30s, 20% for general users aged 40 and above, 53% for low-income households, 30-50% for multi-child households). The province is also promoting the "Gyeonggi Province Children and Youth Transportation Cost Support Project," providing annual support of 240,000 won to reduce transportation costs for children and teenagers aged 6-18 who cannot use The Gyeonggi Pass.

Ku Dong-gyun, research fellow at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, said "The advantages of The Gyeonggi Pass are transportation cost savings benefits, convenient usage methods, and contribution to addressing the climate crisis by suppressing private vehicle use through public transportation activation." He added, "Currently, policies in the transportation welfare dimension are mainly being implemented, but there is also anticipation for direction that reduces the burden of transportation expenditure due to fare increases."

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated in his 2026 budget proposal state-of-the-province address on November 5, "1.55 million provincial residents (based on that time) have subscribed to The Gyeonggi Pass, Gyeonggi Province residents' customized transportation card, and are receiving annual average refunds of 240,000 won per person," adding "Transportation is Gyeonggi Province's most important livelihood issue."