A passenger boards a taxi in Seoul in this file photo. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The government has cleared the way for the launch of taxi sharing services although the service will be available only to passengers who are of the same gender.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the new enforcement ordinance of the taxi industry development law will take effect on Wednesday.
The new enforcement ordinance is a follow-up measure to the revision of the law that allowed taxi-hailing services in January.
Taxi sharing was common in the 1970s, allowing drivers to take strangers at will, regardless of their intentions, to increase fare income.
But the practice was banned in 1982 due to problems, such as frequent vehicle stops and fare disputes.
Under the new enforcement regulations, a ride can be shared when all passengers apply for the service through the platform after confirming their identity.
All passengers should be notified of pickup points, the current location of others, and seat information before embarking.
For sedan taxis with five seats or fewer, a ride can be shared only by passengers of the same gender.
The ministry said that this is a measure to reduce the anxiety of riding with strangers and the fear of facing crimes.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
