Incheon Citizens Receive 80% Discount on Carsharing Fees During Public Transport Strike

Annual Usage Cases: 1,864 in 2013 → 599,685 Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] From this year, citizens using car-sharing services during public transportation strikes in Incheon will receive an 80% discount on vehicle rental fees.

Incheon City announced on the 21st that it has signed the 4th car-sharing agreement (2023?2025) with three companies: Socar, Green Car, and People Car, including this provision.

The agreement includes not only rental fee discounts for Incheon citizens during emergencies such as public transportation strikes but also the expansion of eco-friendly shared vehicles and parking lots, 100% installation of airbags in driver and passenger seats, and the expansion of public interest projects (social contribution programs).

Through this agreement, the city plans to promote rational consumption amid high oil prices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance mobility and accessibility by providing transportation in areas inconvenient for public transit, thereby spreading a culture of eco-friendly vehicle consumption.

Additionally, the city aims to improve transportation welfare in the original downtown area by sharing the economic and social costs involved in vehicle purchase and maintenance.

Car Sharing Parking Lot
Photo by Incheon City

Since 2013, the city has actively promoted car-sharing throughout Incheon.

As of the end of last year, car-sharing parking lots increased from 74 to 425, car-sharing vehicles from 123 to 1,665, and cumulative subscribers from 3,893 to 552,608. Daily usage rose from 31 to 1,733 trips, and annual usage increased from 1,864 to 599,685 trips.

It was also analyzed that each car-sharing vehicle reduces 14.9 private cars and generates an economic benefit of 33.5 billion KRW annually.

An Incheon city official said, "We expect that the activation of car-sharing will help alleviate urban traffic congestion, parking difficulties, and promote eco-friendly lifestyles," urging citizens to actively use the service.