Why Are You Coming Now? Korea's First COVID-19 'Quarantine Taxi' Launches in Busan

Busan City to Operate Franchise License No. 1 'Tomato Taxi' as Quarantine Taxi from March

Easier Movement, Waiting, and Return for Suspected Symptomatic Individuals ‥ No Charges for Waiting Time During Testing

Tomato Taxi.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The 'Quarantine Taxi,' which can be easily used by those with suspected COVID-19 symptoms via phone or a dedicated app, will be introduced for the first time nationwide in Busan.

This quarantine taxi service waits for the taxi user until the diagnostic test is completed and then takes them home. The fare is the same as a regular taxi, and no waiting fee is charged.

Busan City (Acting Mayor Lee Byung-jin) announced on the 23rd that the operation of this quarantine taxi will be handled by Tomato Taxi, a local company that received Busan City's first franchise license, operated by LiraSoft.

Citizens with suspected COVID-19 symptoms can now use the service conveniently when visiting health centers for diagnostic testing.

Although Tomato Taxi expects somewhat low operational performance due to its quarantine taxi image, it decided to operate this additional service as a magnanimous measure to alleviate citizens' travel inconveniences and prevent COVID-19 infection among taxi drivers.

Tomato Taxi will operate only with designated vehicles and personnel complying with quarantine guidelines and plans to dispatch taxis regionally centered around health centers.

The service began full operation on the 22nd and will be expanded starting in March.

To use the quarantine taxi, reservations can be made by phone through the Tomato Taxi call center or via the mobile 'Tomato Taxi Application.' Mobile reservations are available 24 hours a day.

The fare is the same as a regular taxi. Notably, when using the quarantine taxi, no waiting fee is charged while the passenger undergoes COVID-19 diagnostic testing at the health center, allowing them to use the same quarantine taxi to return home.

Acting Mayor Lee Byung-jin of Busan said, “I hope Tomato Taxi will help citizens' mobility during these difficult times of COVID-19, and we will actively support the smooth operation of the quarantine taxi.”