Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Robot_Teacher]

I just experienced use of the new vending machines for the Seoul subway that went into service 3 days ago just as many of you are doing. What do you think? T-money personnel were on hand throughout the city educating people on how to use the machines which are basically self explanatory for techies. My questions were: Can I save up cards and return them in one single visit to the deposit card return machine instead of stopping after each trip to receive my deposit? Didn't know answer, but I found out on my own you can do that. If I get a rechargeable card, how long is the stored value good for? 1 week was the answer. So I said, "That makes no sense as most foreigners visiting Seoul make repeat visits such as my once a month visits." She volunteered herself to walk me through the process of purchasing single ride, but couldn't find my destination in the English menu, but I quickly did on the touch screen, and I got my 1st shiny new single a ride card card. I pointed out to her how it timed out too quickly while I'm trying to pay it and she agreed.

They're nice usable machines in my opinion, but they time out too quickly in waiting for your payment and making you start all over again. Way too quickly. When you're putting money into the machine, if you're 5 seconds too late, it times out and you got to start over. I'm sure they can add some more time in the programming of these new computerized machines. I expect this change within a week or two, if not days.

My real complaint is that you have to manually turn in the card to receive your obagwon deposit. This is silly as the card could be eaten by the exit turn style machines, thus, eliminating the deposit and return and ensuring all cards are recycled. The deposit also inconveniences you to dig your pockets for change. It's a new system and I'm sure they can figure out how to tweak it to work in a way that makes good common sense.

Still, it's cheap fast transportation, though, heavy on the stair climbing, walking, and dodging lunatics who can't decide if it's left or right, but going all ways. They built one hell of a subway system in Seoul and sometimes I think they dug too deep and over did themselves in the station designs, because they're huge.

[ardis]

I used them this weekend and they were fine. I'm sure a lot of English-speaking newbies or visitors will appreciate the English instructions available. However, I agree with the timing out thing. I stood behind a Korean girl who screwed it up ~four~ times. There was a line of people pursing their lips and sighing impatiently because she kept being late with putting her money in correctly.

[tzechuk]

I used them this weekend and after not really understanding what was going on the first time, I figured it out and it was no problem. The only thing is the refund part. I wonder if I have to get a refund on the card each time I end my journey or if I can collect them and get a refund on them all in one go? Do you think they have a time-expiration put on them?

[crossmr]

I think the regular cards hold the money far more than a week..
I had a card that I ran down to like 500W and I switched cards. I gave it to my friend and it still had the money on it.. it was at least 3 or 4 weeks.

Alternatively if you have an SK phone, you probably have TMoney built in (which I do) you can use your phone like a card. Just plop it in the machine and charge it up and scan it as you go through. If I'm ever stuck empty with no cash on me, I can charge a bunch to my phone bill to get me home. Also handy if you have no cash and need to pay for a taxi if the subway is shut down.

[blackjack]

My t money card has lasted months between recharges. I didn't know it expired

[Xuanzang]

[ChinaBoy]

Huh? What are we talking about? Don't people just all use T-Money cards?

[Robot_Teacher]

[crossmr]

[Draz]

I don't understand why people who make regular trips on the subway would use this instead of t-money.

I recently ditched my t-money card because I got a credit card. It's more convenient.

[Young FRANKenstein]