Jeongeup-si Expands Operation of 'Nongchon Bokji Taxi'... Enhancing Mobility Convenience for Residents

Published 15 Mar.2024 10:06(KST)

Jeongeup City in Jeonbuk announced on the 15th that it will expand the operation of the Rural Welfare Taxi (hereinafter referred to as Welfare Taxi), which is being implemented for residents in rural areas where public transportation is difficult to use.

Jeongeup City will expand the operation of the rural welfare taxi service, which is implemented for residents in rural areas who have difficulty using public transportation.
[Photo by Jeongeup City]

The city has been operating the Welfare Taxi since 2015 to improve transportation conditions in rural areas, guarantee minimum transportation mobility rights for the aging rural residents, and realize transportation welfare.

The Welfare Taxi service targets villages located more than 1 km from the nearest bus stop or villages recognized by the market as needing the service. In 2021, the distance restriction was relaxed to 300 meters.

In the first year of implementation, 7 vehicles were deployed to serve 30 villages in 7 myeon and dong areas. Last year, the number increased to 30 vehicles serving 299 villages in 17 eup, myeon, and dong areas. This year, with the addition of one more vehicle, the service is expanded to 31 vehicles covering 303 villages in 18 eup, myeon, and dong areas.

The Welfare Taxi is stationed at eup, myeon, and dong community centers. Residents who wish to use the service can apply by phone from home, and the taxi picks up passengers at the local village hall. The service operates either by picking up passengers upon request or running several times at scheduled times.

The fare is 100 won per ride from the village hall to the bus stop, and 1,000 won to the eup, myeon, or dong administrative center. The service operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Mayor Lee Hak-su said, “This year, we will expand the operation of the Welfare Taxi to realize ‘transportation welfare happiness’ for rural residents. We will listen to various opinions from village residents and taxi transport operators and reflect improvements to increase satisfaction with the Welfare Taxi service.”