Late-night Taxi Fare Increase First Weekend... "Is It True That 50 Taxis Are Waiting at Seoul Station?"

Seoul Station, Myeongdong Station, Konkuk University Station... Taxis Line Up
Citizens 'Welcome for Now' to Ease Taxi Shortage
Price Increase is a Burden
Taxi Drivers Say "Hard to Attract Customers Due to Intensified Competition"

Around 11 p.m. on the 3rd, at the taxi stand in front of Seoul Station, Jung-gu, Seoul. Dozens of taxis are waiting for passengers.
Photo by Jang Sehee

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee and Oh Gyumin]"The weather was so cold that I wanted to take a taxi even with the surcharge. I've never seen such a long taxi queue at eleven o'clock on a Saturday night."

At around 11 p.m. on the 3rd, Mr. Moon Sangcheol (39), who was waiting for a taxi at the taxi stand in front of the East Plaza of Seoul Station, got into a taxi immediately without waiting even a few minutes.

At 11:10 p.m. at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, about 50 taxis were lined up waiting. Among them, about four were deluxe taxis. About 10 minutes later, the line extended beyond the taxi stand. Citizens returning from trips or finishing late-night drinking nearby were surprised by this unusual scene. As the number of taxis exceeded the number of people waiting, the taxi stand soon became 'empty.'

After 11 p.m., taxi stands became 'empty'... taxis continued to wait

Around 11 p.m. on the 3rd, the taxi stand at Seoul Station was completely empty.
Photo by Jang Sehee

Ms. Choi Hyunhee (45) said, "It's the first time I've seen taxis waiting at this hour," adding, "Previously, it took over an hour to catch a taxi, and my family had to come pick me up." She added, "Although the surcharge is a burden, having more taxis definitely makes me feel more at ease."

Since the 1st, the late-night surcharge on Seoul taxi fares has been expanded. For standard taxis, the base fare rises to 4,600 won from 10 to 11 p.m. and from 2 to 4 a.m. The fare changes to 5,300 won from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Most citizens boarded taxis without waiting. Around 10:30 p.m., the situation near Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station on Seoul Subway Line 4 and near Konkuk University Station on Line 7 was similar to Seoul Station. In front of Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station, at least 4 to 5 taxis were waiting on one road to pick up passengers, and taxis accepting reservations continuously passed by on the road. Near Konkuk University Station, seven taxis waiting for passengers all left within 20 minutes after picking up customers.

Citizens say "price increase is a burden"... taxi drivers compete to pick up passengers

At around 10:50 PM on the 3rd, a citizen is hailing and boarding a taxi in front of the Taste Street near Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

Many citizens taking taxis during surcharge hours expressed that the price increase was a burden.

Office worker Kim Cheolhee (32) said, "Usually, it cost 8,000 won to go to Mapo-gu in Seoul, but now it costs about 10,500 won," adding, "Still, since I don't have to wait, I use taxis even though the fare has increased."

Park Sejin (33) said, "I try to take a taxi before 11 p.m. when the additional fare applies," adding, "In the future, I plan to avoid drinking late and use public transportation as much as possible." Lee Hyunjung (35) said, "The fare was 7,100 won more than usual," adding, "It is true that there is an economic burden." She added, "In the future, I think I should refrain from using taxis unless public transportation has stopped."

Kim Heeyoung (27) said, "It cost about 4,700 won more than usual to go to Singil-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu," adding, "Usually, I could get there within 10,000 won."

Meanwhile, taxi drivers expressed some regret. Due to the sudden increase in supply, competition to pick up passengers has intensified. Corporate taxi driver Im Suchil (70) said, "It's good that the fare increased," but added, "Many drivers are out operating, but it's not as easy to pick up passengers as expected." He said, "Since the surcharge starts earlier and the increase is significant, some passengers don't take taxis at all. Taxi drivers actually feel like it's a case of 'a slight change for a big effect' (josammoja)."

Mr. Kim, who has been driving a private taxi in Seoul for 25 years, said, "The surcharge has created an incentive to operate late at night," but added, "If more taxis are needed later, the city speed limits will eventually have to be lifted."