Sejong City introduced the Ieung Pass to reduce transportation costs for citizens and foster an eco-friendly public transportation culture. By purchasing the pass for KRW 20,000 per month, users can freely use up to KRW 50,000 worth of public transportation services. This flat-rate pass effectively allows users to save about KRW 30,000 every month, making it a highly practical benefit for citizens.
The Ieung Pass can be used across various modes of transportation, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), city buses, village buses, demand-responsive buses such as “Duruta” and the “Ieung Bus,” and the shared bicycle service “Ouling.” The benefits also extend to bus use in nearby cities such as Daejeon, Cheongju, and Gongju, providing additional benefits that have significantly enhanced convenience for Sejong City residents.
In particular, Sejong City offers the Ieung Pass free of charge to vulnerable groups such as teenagers, senior citizens aged 70 and over, and persons with disabilities, significantly contributing to the expansion of transportation welfare.
The pass can be easily applied for online or by phone. After receiving the Ieung Pass card, users must register via the Ieung Pass mobile app and purchase the pass. Once Sejong City residency is verified, the pass becomes active. After purchasing the flat-rate plan, the benefits are automatically applied when using public transportation with the Ieung Pass card. A transportation subsidy of up to KRW 50,000 per month is then provided in the form of a bill discount, reimbursement, or direct deposit the following month.
Impact of the Ieung Pass and “Public Transportation Day” as Innovative Public Transport Policies
Since February, Sejong City has been operating Public Transportation Day, which—together with the introduction of the Ieung Pass and reorganisation of bus routes—has generated synergy and drawn public attention with notable outcomes in promoting public transport usage. Notably, in the six months following the introduction of the Ieung Pass in September last year, carbon emissions were reduced by approximately 1,679 tons, and continue to generate significant social cost savings. These initiatives demonstrate Sejong City’s effective approach to simultaneously lowering transportation expenses and promoting daily carbon neutrality.
KRW 4.69 Billion in Social Cost Savings from Carbon Reduction
The introduction of the Ieung Pass and other public transportation innovations, such as route reorganisation, has led to tangible results in reducing citizens’ transport costs and boosting public transport usage.
According to an analysis of the six-month period from September 10 (when the Ieung Pass was launched) to the end of February this year, general adult users paid KRW 20,000 per month and received approximately KRW 36,000 in benefits—effectively saving around KRW 16,000 per person. Free pass users such as teenagers, persons with disabilities, and seniors over 70 also received an estimated KRW 15,000 in monthly benefits, helping to ease the overall transportation burden.
Public transportation usage and Ouling bike rentals also increased. During the six months since the Ieung Pass was introduced, the average daily number of public transit rides was 73,491—an 11.2% increase compared to 66,082 during the same period the previous year. Ouling rentals increased by 5.7%, from 1,048,740 to 1,108,340. This increase in usage is estimated to have reduced approximately 1,679 tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to a social cost savings of about KRW 4.69 billion.
Thanks to the high participation of the citizens of Sejong City, within just six months of the Ieung Pass launch, over 53,000 people—more than 10% of Sejong City’s population—had been issued an Ieung Pass card, with about 34,000 confirmed active users.
On Public Transportation Day, Peak-Hour Intersection Traffic Decreased by 3.0%
To further spread public transportation innovation, Sejong City has been working with the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to designate the fourth Friday of each month as “Sejong Love Public Transportation Day.”
On this day, parking lots at Sejong City Hall and affiliated public institutions are reserved exclusively for transportation-vulnerable citizens in order to reduce private car usage and encourage public transit. Card issuers of the Ieung Pass also run their own promotional events, offering incentives such as mobile coupons to frequent riders of public transport.
Analysis of city bus usage data from February to April showed that, compared to other Fridays, the number of rides and total fare revenue increased by 2.2% and 1.9%, respectively, on Public Transportation Day. Additionally, traffic volume at major intersections during morning peak hours decreased by 3.0% compared to the first to third Fridays of the same month.
