Special Task Force of 187 Deployed to 20 Key Locations Including Gangnam and Hongdae... Traffic Judicial Police Crackdown Also Planned
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a special crackdown to strongly prevent illegal taxi operations such as ride refusals ahead of the year-end and New Year period when taxi demand increases. This year, as daily life returns to normal, passenger usage is expected to be higher than in previous years, so the scale of the crackdown will be expanded, and traffic judicial police investigations will be strengthened to eradicate illegal activities.
On the 27th, Seoul announced that it will carry out a "Special Crackdown on Illegal Taxi Operations" until December 31 to alleviate late-night taxi shortages during the year-end and New Year period. The crackdown hours are from 4:30 PM to 2:30 AM the next day, excluding Sundays. The main crackdown areas include 20 key locations with high taxi boarding rates such as Gangnam Station, Sinnonhyeon Station, Sadang Station, Myeongdong Station, Hongdae Entrance Station, Konkuk University Entrance Station, and Seoul Station. Mobile crackdowns will also be conducted in areas suspected of ride refusals to prevent blind spots.
Seoul has so far conducted guidance-oriented crackdowns considering the COVID-19 situation and the departure of transportation workers in the taxi industry. However, due to concerns such as an increase in unauthorized business suspensions after the lifting of the personal taxi rotation system, selective passenger acceptance, and unilateral cancellations of short-distance paid calls, a strong focused crackdown to prevent illegal operations is planned.
The strengthened crackdown plan includes △forming special crackdown teams △actively cracking down on illegal operations by type △on-site investigation and investigation of suspected unauthorized business suspensions of personal taxis △simultaneous crackdown on taxis serving foreigners and parking violations at major events. This year, the special crackdown teams have been significantly expanded to strengthen enforcement. The teams consist of 187 members, an increase of 149 from previous teams, including traffic judicial police for strict response.
Illegal operations by type will be actively cracked down on. In addition to ride refusals, illegal acts such as so-called "sleeping taxis" that turn off security lights while pretending to rest on the roadside near entertainment districts and violating taxi sign regulations, and operating outside business areas will be strongly dealt with.
For suspected unauthorized business suspensions of personal taxis, on-site investigations, crackdowns, preliminary investigations, and investigations will be strengthened. In particular, to prevent the increase in unauthorized suspensions after the lifting of the personal taxi rotation system and to contribute to alleviating late-night taxi shortages, management will be enforced. The investigation targets vehicles operated five days or fewer per month over the past six months. Encouragement of late-night operation and guidance for normal operation will be prioritized, but vehicles suspected of fraudulent fuel subsidy claims will be subject to compulsory investigation.
Crackdowns on taxis serving foreigners and parking violations at major events will also be pursued simultaneously. Illegal acts such as unfair fares and non-use of meters will be prevented mainly in areas frequently visited by foreigners such as major hotels and palaces. During major events like the year-end World Cup street cheering, parking and stopping violations around event venues will also be cracked down on.
If you experience ride refusals, you can report by calling or texting 120. Going forward, the city will strengthen cooperation with related organizations such as autonomous districts and the police and will make every effort to alleviate taxi shortages and improve convenience for citizens. Baek Ho, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Urban Transportation Office, said, "Through this special crackdown, we will actively prevent illegal operations such as ride refusals that cause late-night taxi shortages and do our best to create an environment where citizens can use taxis comfortably and safely."
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