Seoul City to Raise Taxi Fare Next Year

The basic taxi fare in Seoul is expected to increase to W4,000 next year, with the nighttime surcharge beginning an hour earlier (US$1=W1,122).

The Seoul Metropolitan Government agreed on the increase at a meeting on Tuesday with taxi companies and unions, and civic groups. The last time the fare was increased was in October 2013 when it went up from W2,400 to W3,000.

The night surcharge will be applied from 11:00 p.m., instead of midnight, to 4:00 a.m.

The city government will make a final decision on the increase after listening to public opinions and consultation with the city council in late December.

Some citizens are expressing concerns, as the increase is quite steep. A 28-year-old office worker said, "I have to take a taxi to get to a subway station almost every day on my way to work. The hike will be financially burdensome to me."

At the same time, the city government will introduce new measures to improve taxi services. Taxi drivers who refuse to take passengers will be suspended for seven to 10 days.