Nationwide Expansion of Platform-Based 'Brand Taxi'... 7.8 Times Increase Compared to Previous Year

(Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] 'Brand taxis' are rapidly spreading nationwide.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 27th that it will issue new passenger car transportation franchise business licenses to three companies: Nabicall, VCNC, and Konatus.

Accordingly, the total number of companies licensed for transportation franchise business has increased to six.

Nabicall offers the 'Nabicall' service, which can be called via phone and platform, VCNC plans to launch the 'Tada Light' service, and Konatus is expanding its business area from the 'Banban Taxi' brokerage service to the 'Banban Taxi Green' franchise service.

Separately, DGTMobility is expanding its service area to Pohang and Gyeongsan in Gyeongbuk Province, leveraging its experience operating 'KakaoT Blue' in Daegu.

The Ministry of Land has been making efforts to revitalize franchise taxis by relaxing the vehicle ownership license standard for franchise businesses from 4,000 vehicles to 500 in April and proactively applying regulatory exemption systems.

As of the end of last month, the number of brand taxis in operation reached 18,615, a 7.8-fold increase compared to the end of last year.

Transportation franchise brand taxis combine information and communication technology (ICT) with traditional taxis, enabling data-based vehicle dispatch, integrated control, and service evaluation.

The taxi industry can expect efficient management and increased revenue, while the public can conveniently use taxi reservation services through smartphones.

Um Myung-so, Director General of Comprehensive Transportation Policy at the Ministry of Land, said, "Transportation franchise business combining platforms and taxis is a mobility innovation service," and added, "We will actively communicate with the industry and continue to improve regulations to create a market that induces service improvement."