The Democratic Party and Government Hold Consultations on 'Late-Night Taxi Boarding Difficulties'... "Prepare Alternatives for Call Fees and Late-Night Charges"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party held a party-government consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at the National Assembly on the 28th to devise measures to alleviate the late-night taxi boarding difficulties.

At the consultation, ruling party members including Sung Il-jong, Chairman of the Policy Committee, and Kim Jeong-jae, Secretary of the Land Committee, attended. Members of the Land Committee's Transportation Subcommittee such as Kang Dae-sik, Park Jeong-ha, Seo Il-jun, Jeong Dong-man, and Yoo Kyung-jun were also present. From the government side, Visiting Kyu, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Eo Myeong-so, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Kim Soo-sang, Director of the Transportation and Logistics Office, attended.

In his opening remarks at the consultation, Chairman Sung said, "There must be appropriate compensation for drivers who work excessively during late-night hours to solve the taxi shortage," urging the government to "prepare alternatives for call fees and the late-night fare system."

Chairman Sung emphasized, "The top priority task to alleviate the late-night taxi shortage is sufficient taxi supply," adding, "Various regulations in the taxi industry, such as the taxi quota system that has hindered flexible taxi supply, must be boldly abolished." He further stated, "The diversification of transportation means, such as owl buses, should be expanded to increase late-night public transportation and guarantee the transportation rights of citizens during late-night hours."

He also said, "Since alleviating the late-night taxi shortage involves various stakeholders including the public, taxi industry, and platform industry, it is essential to fully listen to and coordinate the opinions of each party," adding, "The party and government will strive to create alternatives that satisfy everyone."

Assemblyman Kim Jeong-jae said, "Although the demand for late-night taxis has surged, the absurd situation of long waiting times or walking home due to a shortage of drivers continues," expressing hope that "the ruling party and government will put their heads together to discuss and prepare measures to increase supply through regulatory reform and incentives to resolve the late-night taxi crisis."

Director Bang said, "The fundamental cause is that taxi drivers have left for the delivery and courier industries and are not returning to their original jobs," adding, "The government will consider measures such as expanding flexible late-night call fees to encourage taxi drivers to return to work." Vice Minister Eo also said, "29,000 corporate drivers have moved to other industries, and in Seoul, 20,000 out of 30,000 drivers have left, resulting in a shortage of about 5,000 late-night taxis," adding, "We will promote measures to increase late-night transportation, actively revitalize transportation means, and review flexible late-night call fees to ensure practical improvements in driver treatment."

The party and government discussed measures to alleviate late-night taxi boarding difficulties at this meeting and plan to conduct more in-depth discussions at a high-level party-government consultation on the 3rd of next month.

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