Eunpyeong-gu Increases Operation of AiMom Taxi for Pregnant Women and Infants' Families

Expansion of iMom Taxi Fleet from 4 to 8 Vehicles... Expanded Eligibility, Changed Advance Reservation Time, Removal of Departure Restriction in Eunpyeong-gu... Relaxation of Designated Operation Distance for Tertiary Hospitals (14 in Seoul Area)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will expand the operation of the ‘I-Mom Taxi’ service for families with pregnant women and infants, starting with a new vehicle launch ceremony held on the 7th.

As the low birthrate phenomenon accelerates and is raised as a serious social issue, Eunpyeong-gu has been proactively addressing the low birthrate problem by implementing the nation’s first exclusive I-Mom Taxi service for families with pregnant women and infants nationwide since August 31 last year.

Families with pregnant women and infants need to visit hospitals and clinics regularly for various checkups and vaccinations, but with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety about using public transportation has increased.

To resolve these inconveniences, the I-Mom Taxi operates large vans (Carnival vehicles) to accommodate multiple children and strollers, installs car seats considering passenger characteristics, equips vehicles with air purifiers, and mandates daily disinfection of the vehicle interior, ensuring both convenience and safety for users.

At the launch ceremony, Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, personally conducted a test run before the full-scale increase in vehicles to inspect quarantine measures, check the provision of necessary supplies such as disinfectants and wet wipes, and carefully examine whether I-Mom Taxi users experienced any inconveniences.

From August 31 last year to April 30 this year, 2,146 people registered as members of the I-Mom Taxi service, which operated 4,636 trips. A satisfaction survey conducted in 2020 showed that 85% were very satisfied and 7.1% satisfied with the service. During the 100-day online event for I-Mom Taxi, positive responses included comments such as “This is the most touching policy in Eunpyeong-gu” and “I am proud that such excellent welfare exists only in our district.”

Eunpyeong-gu collected residents’ opinions through the I-Mom Taxi satisfaction survey, the 100-day online event, and online meetings, and expanded the eligibility for use from pregnant women and families with children under 12 months to pregnant women and families with children under 24 months starting January this year. Beginning with the launch ceremony, the number of I-Mom Taxis will increase from 4 to 8 vehicles.

Additionally, along with the increase in vehicles, the advance reservation time has been adjusted from 3 days prior to 30 minutes prior, the travel distance restriction has been relaxed for 14 advanced general hospitals in the Seoul area, and the departure point restriction based on Eunpyeong-gu has been removed, further enhancing convenience based on residents’ feedback.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu stated, “We will continue to improve the service to resolve users’ inconveniences and enhance mobility convenience. We hope that the I-Mom Taxi project will greatly contribute to making Eunpyeong a happy place to have and raise children, and that the project will expand nationwide so that not only Eunpyeong residents but more people can use the I-Mom Taxi.”

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