Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

This morning when I boarded the bus, the scanner didn't accept my T Money (bus / subway) card. I know for a fact that it has about 8000 won left in it. So what gives?

This is not the first time it has happened to me on the bus with this card. I always use it properly (scanning it as I get off of the bus too).

Are these cards just not reliable or is mine defective? Anyone else have these problems?

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

They do crap out after a while. Go and get a new one. I think they can transfer the balance from the old card to the new one at the subway station office. Get a Korean friend to help you if you need to.

I had one card for a year, but after it gave up the ghost I found that the new one scans much quicker now.

mithridates · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:29 am Post subject:

Buy this kind instead:

(that's my hand)

I had two T-Money cards wear out before I found out that they can also be bought in a much smaller version that you attach to your phone. It's 5000 won instead of 2500 but it's encased in thick plastic and never wears out.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Dodgy Al · Joined: 15 May 2004 Location: Seoul

I have one in my Swatch watch.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Yes, it happens to me on occassion on the subway, and is seemingly always when I hear the train I want to board approaching, so I don't have time to go to the ticket window to have it manually scanned by the disgruntled guy behind the glass.

Because of this, I end up jumping turnstiles.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

If tyhis happens just go to the fishbowl these guys are sitting in, give your card, they do some funny stuff

est voila

it's fixed

happens about once every month or so

Each card is tracked in a Database, i had the luck of seeing it in action one day, really nifty stuff, they know exactly where you were and when.

MantisBot · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Location: Itaewon, Seoul, SK

Actually, I had a problem with my card only once. I tried to enter too soon after someone else (I'm used to the NYC metrocard system... *swipe-BEEP-kerchunk*) and when I tried to get out of the station on the other end I just got an error message. Luckily for me, some Korean dude was nice enough to slide a ticket through for me before I had time to do anything about it.

Then he promptly disappeared.

Who was that unmasked man? Muchas gracias se�or!!!

Oh yeah, as to how I realized I went in too soon, I tried swiping my card while the readout was still showing how much was on the card from before me. Perhaps it's best to wait until it's clear again?

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

[quote="MantisBot"] Luckily for me, some Korean dude was nice enough to slide a ticket through for me before I had time to do anything about it.

Then he promptly disappeared.

Who was that unmasked man? Muchas gracias se�or!!!
quote]

Laughing

He learned a lesson that day (hopefully) - not to always rush to save a milisecond.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

That happened once on the way to work in Daegu. But the driver recognised me and just waved me on.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

Are you people flipping because you scan it once and the machine gets all beepy and talky? If so, just try scanning it again.

I've had my card for a few years now and have never had a problem with it, and the Chica's card has like nothing on it because the surface has all been worn off from having it for ages, and it still works like a charm. If you're going through cards yearly, you must be doing something to the thing.

I just leave mine in my wallet and scan the whole damn thing. Everything still works fine. *darts off for wood to knock on*