By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Seoul Metropolitan City plans to introduce a reward system to root out taxi driver irregularities such as passenger rejection or carrying separate customers together.
The city government announced Monday that those who report taxi drivers’ irregularities will be given rewards, although it has not yet clarified the exact amount of money.
Taxies that are illegally modified or operate on days not allowed to them according to their registration numbers will be placed under control as well.
``A growing number of taxi drivers violate regulations regarding taxi operation, causing inconvenience to citizens. We look forward to removing many irregularities by introducing a reward system,’’ the city official said.
The city is now outlining details of the system and it is expected to take effect as soon as the first half of next year. However, the system is likely to face a backlash by taxi drivers as many of them have difficulties breaking even when they obey regulations.
``There are so many taxies I have to compete with in Seoul, and more and more people use subways or buses to save money. Only when I select customers according to their travel distance can I make a profit,’’ said Park In-sik, a taxi driver residing in northern Seoul.
In addition, taxi drivers have been hurt by a substitute driving service that provides intoxicated motorists with a driving service to their home with their cars. Drunken people had been the main customers for taxi drivers but many of them are now using the substitute driving service. Moreover the taxi fare hike led by the government has negatively influenced the income of taxi drivers as this put people off from taking a cab.
Meanwhile, about 1,800 illegal taxi operations were recorded from January to July this year, and a total of 72 cases were passenger rejection by drivers.