Paju-si Signs Agreement for Taxi Fare Payment via Local Currency

First Nationwide Implementation Using the Current System
Promoting Innovation in Taxi Services with Affordable Fares

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 18th that on the 17th, it signed an agreement at Paju City Hall with Kona I, the Private Taxi Association, and the Brand Call Committee for the ‘Taxi Fare Local Currency Payment.’ This agreement was promoted to provide better taxi services to citizens, revitalize the local economy, and foster the development of the taxi industry.

Kim Kyung-il, Mayor of Paju City (second from the left), is taking a commemorative photo after signing an agreement for 'Taxi Fare Local Currency Payment' with Kona I, the Private Taxi Association, and the Brand Call Committee at Paju City Hall on the 17th. Provided by Paju City

Starting April 1, the taxi fare local currency payment service will be initially implemented for 575 private taxis. Citizens can call taxis through the Paju Pay (Gyeonggi Province local currency) app or ‘Brand Call,’ or conveniently pay taxi fares with local currency even after boarding a taxi on the street. However, automatic payment is not available when calling via Kakao T.

Through the Paju Pay incentives, citizens can enjoy up to a 10% reduction in fares, reducing their economic burden and allowing them to use taxis at more affordable rates. In particular, with Kona I’s taxi calling system integrated into the Paju Pay app, citizens can easily call taxis and make automatic payments through the app, making the calling and payment process much simpler.

The introduction of this local currency payment system is not merely an improvement in payment methods but also aims to actively address taxi boarding difficulties during rush hours and late-night hours, and to enhance taxi services through proactive efforts by the Private Taxi Association. It is expected that citizens’ inconveniences will be significantly reduced as a result.

Additionally, Paju Pay payments will be available for the Thousand-Won Taxi and voucher taxis for transportation-vulnerable groups, contributing to securing mobility rights for socially marginalized groups.

Currently, due to restrictions on local currency merchant registration requirements, the service is first implemented for private taxis, but there are plans to actively work towards allowing general (corporate) taxis to participate through Gyeonggi Province local currency review.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City said, “The taxi fare local currency payment project will provide citizens with affordable fares and a convenient usage environment, and furthermore, it will be an important milestone for the development of the taxi industry.” He added, “Starting with this, we will accelerate the establishment of basic transportation policies across public transportation.”

The taxi fare local currency payment promoted by Paju City is an innovative nationwide first model implemented in cooperation with Kona I by utilizing the current taxi system to reduce costs. Paju City plans to successfully establish the project so that more citizens can benefit and to expand the project in cooperation with Gyeonggi Province in the future.