Seoul buckles up for taxi fare hike

Taxis operated by firms or privately line up near Seoul Station. The city's taxi fares will likely increase by the end of this year. Korea Times file

By Ko Dong-hwan

Seoul's taxi fare hike is nearing. As the city government waits for over 250 local taxi operators to sign a set of new regulations, the higher fares are expected by the end of this year.

The new regulations state a “daytime” taxi fare will start from 3,800 won ($3.35), up from 3,000 won.

The fares will begin once 254 taxi firms in the Seoul Taxi Association sign a Seoul Metropolitan Government's letter of business agreement containing the new terms. Predictions indicate all companies will sign by year's end.

The taxi association gathered the presidents of city operators at the Seoul Transportation Center in the city's Songpa-gu District on Monday to discuss the terms. Participants agreed on the new fare and measures to treat drivers better.

The core element of the pro-driver measures involves the drivers' mandatory payment to companies from daily earnings.

Seoul also is looking to modify nighttime taxi regulations, including raising the starting fare from 3,600 won to 5,400 won. Korea Times file

Past fare hikes did not benefit drivers because they had to pay more to the companies.

The city's latest fix-ups state that the drivers' company fees will be frozen at present rates after the fare rise begins. After the six months, 80 percent of net profit each driver earns from the hike will add to the driver's monthly salary.

Another taxi fare revision is expected to be tabled soon at the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

The measures reflect changes to the city's nighttime taxi operation. The city wants to raise the starting fare from 3,600 won to 5,400 won, apply it for a longer distance ― from the first two kilometers to three ― and begin the fare at 11 p.m., an hour earlier than now.

Incheon, where passengers have paid the same starting fare as Seoul, is expected to follow suit. The Incheon city government will discuss the fare hike with interested parties on Nov. 23, according to the Incheon Ilbo on Wednesday.