This file photo shows taxis in Seoul during late hours. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Nighttime travelers commuting for night shifts or other business are complaining about rising taxi fares in Seoul following the introduction of special nighttime fares.
The additional charge for taxis at nighttime came into effect at 10 p.m. on Dec. 1, two hours earlier than before. From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., the extra charge will rise to 40 percent, which is two times the default rate (20 percent).
Consumers were more or less frustrated with the extra charges.
“I used to be able to get there for 10,000 won (US$7.68). Now, it costs 12,000 won,” said a 28-year-old office worker surnamed Kang. “Now I’m starting to think I should take the last train home, looking at how fast taxi fares are going up.”
“I have no choice but to work until late at night,” said a 29-year-old office worker surnamed Jeon. “Public transportation isn’t an option, so taxis are the only choice I have left. The extra charges hurt as they continue to increase.”
Some people say that extra charges are inevitable.
“Consumer prices are rising, it’s only fair that taxi fares increase too,” said Son, a 45-year-old office worker. “Public transportation is still around at 10 p.m., so it doesn’t seem so unreasonable to me.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
