▲ A scene of using public transportation with a card that has K-Pass functionality

On January 1st, 2025, The Department of Transportation Policy of the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government started the ‘Gyeongnam Pass’ across the region. This program reimburses part or all of the transportation costs for residents aged 19 and older, who use public transportation at least 15 times a month. As the first project to realize Gyeongsangnam-do’s core values of, ‘Welfare, Solidarity, and Hope,’ in the second half of 2025, the Gyeongnam Pass aims to expand the scope of welfare benefits.

Gyeongnam Pass is based on the K-Pass program implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. First, one must receive a card with K-Pass functionality and sign up on the K-Pass application or website. Then, register their card to receive benefits. Once identity verification is completed, the system automatically links to the government administrative network, confirming the user's registered address. If the address is in Gyeongsangnam-do, additional Gyeongnam Pass benefits will be provided. Therefore, by simply registering for K-Pass, users can enjoy the benefits without any additional procedures.

Gyeongnam Pass and K-Pass differ in refund target, amount, and usage limits. While K-Pass defines youth as those aged 19 to 34, Gyeongnam Pass extends this range to 39. This is based on Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Gyeongsangnam-do Youth Basic Ordinance. The Framework Act On Youth (Article 3, Paragraph 1) defines youth as individuals aged 19 to 34, however, it allows other laws and ordinances to set different age criteria. Accordingly, Gyeongsangnam-do expanded the youth age range to 39 based on its Youth Basic Ordinance: Gyeongnam Pass follows this standard.

Low-income individuals and registers aged 75 and over receive a full refund of their transportation costs. Notably, for seniors aged 75 and over, there is no usage limit, considering the difficulty they may use public transport 15 times in a month. Therefore, if they use public transport only once, they receive a full refund for that single trip.

Since January 1, K-Pass introduced limits of 60 trips per month and 2 trips per day for refunds, in contrast, Gyeongnam Pass removed all such restrictions. This aims to increase the number of users by allowing young people, who frequently use public transportation for commuting or school, to obtain more benefits. Additionally, users can receive refunds when using public transportation outside the province. For example, traveling from Gimhae to Busan or using the subway within Busan are all eligible for refunds.

The success of the Gyeongnam Pass depends on the speed of user expansion. As of last December, the number of K-Pass subscribers stood at 95,000. Since the official launch of the Gyeongnam Pass, that number has surged to approximately 172,000, proving the high expectations that residents have for the Gyeongnam Pass.

Meanwhile, there are criticisms about significant disparities in promotional efforts. Ha Geum-seok, a resident of Dong-eup in Changwon said, “Maybe because it’s not in the city center, there’s not much promotion. Many elderly people live in this area. It seems difficult for them to access information.” With one in five Gyeongnam residents being elderly, actively encouraging pass registrations has emerged as a challenge.

In response, local governments are diversifying their promotional strategies. Miryang promoted the pass by visiting 22 village welfare centers to mark the New Year. Furthermore, the Goseong County Office is assisting elderly residents by offering support through call centers and visits to town offices.

Yu Min-seon, the assistant manager of The Department of Transportation Policy, said, “If public transportation usage is activated through the Gyeongnam Pass, it could contribute to creating a more comfortable transportation environment.” Given the large population flow between Busan and Gyeongnam, an increase in regional transportation convenience through linkage with the Dongbaek Pass is also expected. However, low K-Pass subscription rates and insufficient promotion in some areas remain challenges. If Gyeongsangnam-do actively addresses these issues, it is highly probable to enhance transportation benefits for the local residents.

By Jeong Su-min, cub-reporter  wjd2002air@gmail.com

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>