The late-night taxi fare varies by time

"It is absurd that the basic fare for late-night taxis is applied in four stages depending on the time zone. I don't know what the basis is, and I wonder if there is anyone who understands and takes a taxi.”

Lim (42), who lives in Songpa-gu, Seoul, shook his head after hearing an explanation of the measures recently announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to solve the problem of late-night taxi rides. Lim said, "It's not easy to raise the fare, but it's getting so complicated that it's hard to understand that I'm angry."

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the taxi fare system in Seoul will be changed three times from mid-month to February next year. On top of that, it is pointed out that the premium rate and maximum call fee, which were previously applied in a single manner, vary from time to time, and that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government are different, adding to the confusion. In the case of affiliated taxis such as Kakao T Blue, there are eight basic fares ranging from 6,800 won to 11,700 won, including call fees.

Since its introduction in 1982, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to change the late-night premium rate (20%) and the premium time (0:00-4:00 a.m.) from the end of the year. The extra time, which is currently from 0 o'clock to 4 a.m., will be increased by 2 hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The premium rate is also applied differently, and the premium rate is applied between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., and the rest of the time is maintained at 20%.

However, the situation became more complicated as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 4th that it would introduce a new "platform taxi late-night call fee." Previously, call fees were flexibly charged within up to 3,000 won regardless of day and night, but if late-night call fees are introduced, up to 5,000 won can be charged from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

As the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's late-night hours (10 p.m. to 3 a.m.) and Seoul's premium hours (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.), different basic rates will be applied at △ 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. △ 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. to 2 a.m. △ 3 a. to 4 a.m.m.

When it was pointed out that citizens are expected to suffer inconvenience due to the application of the four-stage fare during late-night hours, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it would discuss standard unification with the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the future. An official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a telephone interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 5th, "We judged that 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. is the time when the taxi crisis is most severe," adding, "We are discussing with the Seoul Metropolitan Government over the adjustment of the late-night time." On the other hand, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, "The late night work includes the nature of compensation and welfare for night work, so it can be increased, but it is not easy to shorten it to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."

Date: 2022-10-06

Reporter: 정새울