Eunpyeong-gu 'I-Mom Taxi' Used by 740 People in Two Months... Why Is It So Popular?

Eunpyeong I-Mom Taxi Driver Sends 'Operation Log'... 'More Comfortable Than Husband, I-Mom Taxi' ... 'Ensuring Safety from Motorcycles'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] In the era of COVID-19, autonomous district administrations need projects that can alleviate residents' anxiety and inconvenience.

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) has introduced the I-Mom Taxi service for pregnant women.

The I-Mom Taxi can be used free of charge up to twice a day and 10 times a year (8 times in 2020) by 4,500 pregnant women and families with infants under 12 months old as of the application date within Eunpyeong-gu.

Currently, four vehicles are in operation, and within two months of starting service, the app has attracted about 800 subscribers, with more than 740 actual I-Mom Taxi users, showing a positive response.

Accordingly, if residents' usage increases, the target group and the number of vehicles will be expanded.

Kim Bok-seop (56), a driver of the I-Mom Taxi, sent a two-month “operation log” to the district office. We introduce Kim’s operation log, who feels great fulfillment while driving pregnant women during the service period.

◇ Operation Log of an Eunpyeong-gu I-Mom Taxi Driver

I am driver number 2428 operating the I-Mom Taxi in Eunpyeong-gu. Since it is the early stage of operation, I drive about 8 to 9 times a day at most, but above all, I personally feel very rewarded because I have enough time to provide high-quality service, such as ensuring safety from motorcycles during boarding and alighting for pregnant women.

J from Jungsan-dong, who has three children, said, "It has become easier because the taxi comes right up to the narrow alley in front of my house where I cannot turn a car around, and my husband could go to work without worry," expressing deep gratitude.

K from Eungam-dong, who appeared to be full-term pregnant, said, "When I ask my husband to go to the hospital together, he makes excuses and frowns, but this service seems much better than my husband."

Also, L from Eungam-dong, who visited the hospital with her foreign husband for postpartum care, looked exhausted and struggled to walk, but when I waited patiently while she went to the pharmacy, she showed gratitude that is still vivid in my mind, giving me a great sense of fulfillment.

H from Yeokchon-dong, who used the service to Yonsei University Hospital last September, said, "I am satisfied with the safe speed, and especially thankful that you 'love' the speed bumps," adding that saving on taxi fares was a practical economic benefit.

The fetus expresses itself by kicking, and even if the father shouts, the pregnant mother can feel the fetal movements. How difficult must it be for the baby if a full-term pregnant woman has to bend over to get into the low rear seat of a taxi, compressing the baby? If sudden steering, rapid start, rapid acceleration, sudden stops, and ignoring speed bumps occur, the fetus gets startled, kicks, and the abdomen swells, pressing the bladder and causing urination.

Recalling memories of riding in such small cars as hell, the I-Mom Taxi is spacious, allowing one to lean back, comfortable, and pleasant, earning high praise.

As an I-Mom Taxi driver, seeing the struggles of I-Moms and their joy when using the I-Mom Taxi makes me feel sorry and grateful to all I-Moms in this world. I sincerely hope for their health and happiness with their children and pledge to do my best to ensure their comfortable transportation.

Lastly, I apologize to my wife who must have had a hard time. Although I did not understand or help her as much as I should have, I truly love my wife who raised our two children wonderfully.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.