Kakao Drive picks closest driver with a set trip rate

Kakao launched its mobile chauffeur calling service called Kakao Drive on Tuesday.

The app identifies the closest available driver, calls them and gives payment for the trip. The flat minimum rate begins at 15,000 won, and an additional rate is calculated in proportion to the travel distance via Kakao’s own metering system.

The user can pay for the trip with a single tap on the smartphone, using the credit card number he or she saved in the mobile device in advance. Once connected, the Kakao Drive app displays each driver’s name and face on the user’s smartphone and sends text messages when the user gets in and out of the car.

To ensure the users’ safety, the company has recruited some 50,000 drivers nationwide via one-on-one interviews. Unlike conventional chauffer services, Kakao’s new service connects drivers with customers for a single, flat fee and takes 20 percent of each trip.