Seoul to fine taxi drivers who refuse passengers
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Police are raiding on a taxi who refuses passengers in Jongno, central Seoul. / Yonhap
Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and city police will fine taxi drivers 200,000 won ($182) if they refuse passengers during the end-of-year period. Police will also do spot checks on taxis.
Taxis in the capital, mostly in downtown areas, have been avoiding passengers who want to travel only a short distance because the fare is too small. Some drivers have been seen bargaining with passengers who have no choice but more than they would under normal circumstances.
To cope with the expected end-of-year increase in demand, the SMG said Tuesday it will fine offending drivers without a warning. In the past, drivers have been given a warning on their first offense.
SMG has made efforts to prevent drivers from refusing to take passengers, but taxis can still be seen waiting in line for long-distance customers.
The city and police will mobilize an extra 120 civil servants and 277 police to 24 areas where the problem is most common.