'Now they won't have any passengers'

The basic taxi fare is set to rise for the first time in the past four years.

The standard fare for mid-sized taxis in Seoul will increase from the existing 3,800 won to 4,800 won ($3.40), while the basic distance will also be decreased from the current 2 kilometers to 1.6 kilometers. This will be applied from February next year.

Basic fares for deluxe and large-sized taxis will also be raised from the current 6,500 won to 7,000 won from February next year.

On Tuesday, the Seoul City Government officially announced that it had passed a bill to raise the basic fares and late-night surcharge.

Besides the basic fares, fees for hailing late-night taxis and the time frame for the premium late-night taxi fare will also be adjusted.

As the government announced its plan to relieve the taxi shortage during late-night hours, Korean mobility platforms are to raise the basic fare for calling their late-night taxis. Banban Taxi and Tmoney Onda will raise the fare this week, and Kakao T and Tada will do so from this November.

Starting December, the time frame for the late-night surcharge will be expanded. Now, it is from midnight to 4 a.m. but it will be shifted to from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The basic rate of late-night premium services will also be increased from the current 20 percent to 40 percent between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.

And the late-night premium and surcharge for going out of the city will be introduced to deluxe and large-sized taxi fare scheme as well.

#too_much_too_fast
“Taxis will soon be like an ambulance taken by only those who need to hurry.”
“The city government said the move was intended to encourage taxi drivers to come back, but now they won't have any passengers.”

#accounts_for_inflation
“The decision is reasonable. Think about rising prices.”
“People willingly pay 5,000 won for delivery services. What’s the problem with the fare?”

#more_countermeasures_needed
“Related services like Uber need to be allowed to operate here in Korea.”
“More late-night buses should be added to the roads. Subway operation hours need to be expanded as well.”

BY KIM HA-YEONG, BY HAN HYE-RIM [han.hyerim1@joongang.co.kr]