Korean Job Discussion Forums

[itiswhatitis]

Really stupid question......

When I take a bus in Seoul do I need to also scan my card as I get off the bus or only when I get on.

I've heard that if you are going to transfer to another bus that you don't scan it again and that you only scan the card again if it is the end of your journey. But this may or may not be true.

Thanks!!!!

[Dodge7]

hmm. Not sure if you are transferring if you need to swipe or not. I always swipe when I get off on every bus, even when transferring, because if you don't you'll be charged the maximum amount.

[GreenlightmeansGO]

When I was in Daegu, you only swiped the card if you wanted to transfer and not be charged double. I think after you leave a bus you have 30 min to an hour to transfer to another bus or subway for free. If you happen to catch the same number bus, however, you pay again (I tried to stop for a quick snack and catch the next bus, that's how I found that out).

[T-J]

Scan your card when exiting the bus, always.

[deizio]

Always scan if you're transferring.

If you aren't transferring but the vehicle you're on will pass into a different fare zone before the end of its route, scan or be charged the fare to the end of the route.

If you aren't transferring and the vehicle will not pass into a different fare zone (e.g. most if not all green and blue buses in Seoul) then it doesn't make a difference. Of course, you can always scan just to be safe.

[slasher]

Even if you end up on a green or blue bus, and if you HAVE transferred and is coming from somewhere far, you better scan your card when you get off last as you are paying per kilometer (above a certain distance).

That said, you are not likely to pay more than half a dollar extra anyway...

[tardisrider]

As you can see from the other replies, there is absolutely no reason for you to swipe your card when you leave the bus. I'd avoid it like the plague.

[K1020]

As I understand it, not swiping on exit mean you are charged full fare. Swiping returns a portion of what you were charged on boarding to your card for short distance trips which are discounted. Given that the bus costs just over a buck missing out on a half dollar each time you ride by not swiping as you leave means less trips for the same money.
I say when in Rome. . . When I ride the bus it seems like everyone using cards is scanning out of the bus so I suppose there may be some rhyme to their reason.

[orosee]

I'm surprised that this doesn't get asked more often. The last time I saw this asked was 4 years ago.

Then, the answers were evenly distributed between "yes you should or must" and "no need to bother". Now it's definitely more in favour of "do it", and I've noticed that the buses now often have two scanners at the exit to reduce congestion, another subtle hint that this ought to be done.

I've made a simple, accidental test.

Same bus connections (bus, bus, subway): With checking out, I don't get charged for bus #2 and I get charged 100 Won at the end of the subway ride (where checking out is not optional, another hint).

Once I was pushed off bus #1 and couldn't check out; I got charged full fare for bus #2.

I think that answers the question.

[viciousdinosaur]

Rule #1 of living in Korea

Do as the Koreans do.

[Keeper]

After reading this:
The best reason not to scan is convenience/laziness.
The best reason to scan is you could be charged the maximum rate for the ride if you don't.

Does that pretty much sum it up?

[sojusucks]

[transmogrifier]

[T-J]

[slasher]

I'm surprised there are so many misinformation in this thread. A quick google search would give you full info about the fare system. You pay basic fare when you enter a bus (the exact fare varies by bus type), which entitles you to a 10km ride with transfers (if you swipe the card both in and out, maximum 5 buses). For each 5 km after that, it is 100 won which you pay at one of the out-swipes. Not swiping means you pay as if you are going to the end of the route.