Taxi users at Jeju airport to pay surcharge after 7 p.m.

Jeju International Airport. Korea Times file

By Kim Hyun-bin

People arriving at Jeju International Airport after 7 p.m. will have to pay an additional charge of 2,100 won ($1.77) for a taxi, as a part of the local government's efforts to resolve a shortage of taxis there in the evening.

According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Government, Thursday, its traffic committee approved the extra fee plan for taxis along with a general fare hike. If passed at a government committee reviewing price measures and the inflation rate price next month, the premium will take effect starting July 1.

Jeju is the first region in the country to adopt the airport surcharge.

The measure has come because while many people arrive at the airport in the evening and at night, taxis avoid picking them up as it is far from residential and business areas.

The premium will be charged between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., not only for the airport but also the Jeju Ferry Passenger Terminal.

Along with the premium, the basic fares for Jeju taxis will also rise from 2,800 won to 3,400 won, and from 3,800 won to 4,800 won for van-sized taxis.