A new era is coming for iPhone users in Korea! Soon, they’ll be able to use Apple Pay for buses and subways. While the exact launch date hasn’t been announced yet, the news is already creating a buzz.

On June 16, Korean transit card company Tmoney posted a teaser image on its website and Instagram with the phrase, “Tmoney is coming to iPhone and Apple Watch”, signaling the long-awaited integration between Tmoney and Apple Pay.

Once the service is launched, iPhone and Apple Watch users will be able to tap in and out of public transit without needing a physical card. This is a major improvement for Apple users in Korea, who until now had to rely on physical type Tmoney cards.

The timeline, however, remains unclear. Tmoney stated that more details will be shared at a later date. Industry insiders suggest the beta service may roll out as early as this summer or by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, starting this October, Tmoney plans to pilot a “Tagless Payment” system on Seoul city buses. With this system, riders won’t need to physically tap their card or phone. As long as your smartphone is in your pocket or bag, fares will be automatically deducted using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology.

This hands-free system is expected to improve convenience and safety, especially for children, seniors, and people carrying bags or using crutches. It also reduces the risk of missing a tap when getting off the bus.

The pilot will cover 36 bus routes and around 580 buses in Seoul. Riders can enable the tagless option via the Mobile Tmoney app. The system will operate alongside the current tag-based method and will support transfers with other transportation.