Seoul Tests Tap-Free Bus Payments Using Smartphone Sensors (T Money)
SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — A new payment technology that allows bus passengers to board without tapping a card or phone has debuted in Seoul, in a pilot seen as a step toward a fully touch-free public transit system.
Tmoney, the operator of South Korea’s dominant transit payment platform, said Monday it has activated its “Tagless Payment” system on 36 bus routes covering roughly 590 vehicles across the capital.
The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy sensors to automatically detect and charge fares when riders board or exit, as long as they carry a smartphone with the Tmoney app enabled.
The company said the technology could reduce boarding delays and crowding by eliminating the need to physically tag a reader. It also aims to prevent common issues such as missed taps, double charges and safety incidents caused by hurried tagging.
No Tapping Required: Seoul Pilots Hands-Free Transit Fare System (Yonhap)
Traditional payment methods — physical cards and mobile tap-to-pay — will remain available, and riders can freely transfer to buses or subways without interruption, Tmoney said.
The operator noted that it has tested the system against potential glitches, including multiple passengers boarding together, peak-hour congestion, and varying device placement inside bags or pockets. Any errors during the trial period will be handled through dedicated customer-service teams, the company added.
“We are excited to bring next-generation transit payments to Seoul’s buses,” said Kim Tae-geuk, Tmoney’s chief executive. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens can travel more conveniently and safely.”
The trial will continue as engineers refine performance and assess whether the technology can be expanded citywide.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
