Seoul aims at revolutionizing its transport system by the year 2030, so that commuters can pay with overseas credit cards from subway and city bus payments, enhancing the convenience for millions of travelers annually.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Seoul to Introduce Overseas Card Transit Payments by 2030
A person passes through a subway ticket gate in Tokyo using a standard credit card. /Courtesy of YouTube capture

Seoul Expands EMV-Based Transit System

Introducing EMV-based open-loop payment system compatible with the Visa, Mastercard, and Europay networks, the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The technology enables worldwide “Tap to Pay” and “Tap & Go” services with the possibility of making contactless fare payments instantly.

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With the implementation of EMV standards, Seoul aims to replace the current transit cards with a single card and ease payments for travelers. The upgrade positions Seoul with the big global cities like New York, London, and Singapore in which credit cards are already tapped at the gates.

Foreigners currently have to purchase and recharge Tmoney cards with cash in the local currency or local credit cards. The newly added vending kiosks with the year-end finish will accept top-up and purchases with overseas credit cards. The city also plans cooperation with Apple in including top-up with users of Tmoney Apple Pay in the year-end.

Seoul Strengthens Smart City and Tourism Goals

From 2027 to 2030, Seoul will swap all PayOn terminals along subway lines 1 through 8 with EMV-compatible models and add the system to village autobus and regional trains. The entire replacement will cost approximately $36 million, including new terminals and a system revision in order to preserve transfer discounts.

Since the EMV network operates with global settlement systems, the operating expense can become more expensive. Nevertheless, the officials aim to save costs with the big card issuers and acquirers. Yeo Jang-gwon, the city’s Transportation Bureau head, commented that such conversion would provide more convenience for passengers and reinforce the global status of Seoul as a Smart City.

Modernization plan for the city coincides with increasing inboundtraveling, which is expected to surpass 20 million people this year. Officially, the plan aims at embracing global payment norms in hope of attracting more travelers and enhancing Seoul’s Digital Infrastructure Leadership.

Source: biz.chosun.com

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How will Seoul’s new transit payment system work?

Passengers will be able to tap their overseas credit cards directly at subway or bus terminals to pay fares, just like “Tap to Pay” systems abroad.

When will Seoul complete its EMV payment transition?

The city aims to finish replacing all fare terminals and implementing the new system across transport modes by 2030.

Can foreign tourists already use overseas cards in Seoul?

Not yet. By the end of this year, new kiosks will allow card top-ups, and the full open-loop payment system will gradually expand through 2030.