Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Achieves Introduction of 'Voucher Taxi' in All Cities and Counties as Pledge of the 8th Local Government Term

Operated 284 Vehicles... Establishing a Foundation to Enhance Mobility Rights for the Transportation-Disadvantaged

Basic 2km for 500 Won... Additional 100 Won per Extra 1km

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, has achieved the goal of introducing voucher taxis in all cities and counties as a pledge of the 8th local government administration.

Jeollanam-do announced on the 4th that it will expand the voucher taxi service for transportation-disadvantaged individuals, first introduced nationwide, to all 22 cities and counties, operating 284 vehicles to fully establish a foundation for improving mobility rights for the transportation-disadvantaged.

Using a voucher taxi.
[Photo by Jeonnam Province]

The transportation-disadvantaged voucher taxi service was introduced by Jeollanam-do in September 2021 and began operating in five cities and counties. The expansion to all cities and counties is in line with the pledge of Governor Kim Young-rok during the 8th local government administration.

As the use of the disabled call taxi, a transportation means for the transportation-disadvantaged, has increased every year, the waiting time for call taxis has also increased, causing efficiency to deteriorate. This project was proactively promoted by Jeollanam-do to address this issue.

The voucher taxi, which designates and operates regular taxis, normally serves general customers but transports transportation-disadvantaged passengers such as disabled individuals when dispatched by call. Wheelchair users are encouraged to use disabled call taxis, while non-wheelchair users use voucher taxis, thereby distributing users.

This has effectively alleviated dispatch delays and shortened waiting times, significantly enhancing mobility rights for the transportation-disadvantaged.

Moreover, the budget for operating voucher taxis circulates back to the taxi industry, which is currently in recession, creating a virtuous cycle that revitalizes the local economy. Thus, it not only improves mobility rights for the transportation-disadvantaged but also greatly contributes to boosting the regional economy.

Kim Byung-ho, Director of the Road Traffic Division of Jeollanam-do, said, "Through the voucher taxi service, the first introduced at the provincial level nationwide, we will monitor operations to ensure comfortable use by the transportation-disadvantaged and address any shortcomings to enhance their mobility rights."

Voucher taxis are available to non-wheelchair transportation-disadvantaged individuals registered with the Jeonnam Metropolitan Mobility Support Center. When requesting a voucher taxi dispatch, the fare is the same as the existing disabled call taxi: 500 KRW for the first 2 km and an additional 100 KRW per km thereafter, with the maximum fare capped at the city bus fare. This fare allows travel within the local area.

For inquiries about using the transportation-disadvantaged voucher taxi or membership registration, contact the Jeonnam Metropolitan Mobility Support Center or the call center.

The pilot project began in 2021 targeting five cities and counties with relatively high usage of disabled call taxis?Yeosu, Suncheon, Naju, Gwangyang, and Haenam?and was actively expanded from 2022. In July of this year, Damyang County was the last to introduce and operate the service, achieving the goal of implementation in all cities and counties.

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