Taxis in South Korea are largely categorized into light, compact, medium, large, deluxe, and luxury taxis based on vehicle type. The operating years, engine displacement, and vehicle size are stipulated by the country's law.
Types of taxi
In South Korea, taxis have a service life of 4 to 9 years depending on engine displacement. In the case of private taxis, vehicles with an engine displacement of less than 2,400 cc are 7 years, and vehicles with an engine displacement of 2,400 cc or more are 9 years. After a safety inspection every 6 months, the extension is determined and can be used for 2 more years. Private taxis with an engine displacement of 2,400 cc or more can be used for up to 11 years.[1]
From 2021 to 2023, 33,400 taxis, or 30% of newly registered taxis, were electric vehicles; during this period, the most registered electric vehicle as a taxi was the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Niro Plus, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia Niro EV and the Hyundai Kona Electric.[2][3] Corporate taxi companies must have at least 50 vehicles in Seoul and Busan, at least 30 vehicles in metropolitan cities and municipalities, and at least 10 vehicles in counties.[4] According to a 2020 survey by Seoul City, the average daily distance traveled by taxis of the city is 240.2 km.[2]
Medium taxi
Medium taxis (중형택시) are taxis with engines of 1,600 cc or more and seating for 5 or fewer people, and account for 99% of taxis in the country.[5] Mainly used are Hyundai Sonata, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia K5, and EV6.
Large taxi
Large taxi (대형택시) vehicles must be automobiles with a displacement of 2,000 cc or more and can seat 6 to 10 people, or passenger vehicles with a displacement of 2,000 cc or more and can seat 13 people or less.[6] The drivers must have a taxi license with at least five years of accident-free driving experience.[7] Mainly used are Hyundai Starex and Kia Carnival.
Luxury taxi
Luxury taxis (고급택시) were introduced in November 2015. Vehicles with an engine displacement of 2,800 cc or more, such as Genesis vehicles, Hyundai Equus, and Kia K9, are used.[8] There is no need to display lights indicating that it is a taxi on the outside of the taxi, and there is no obligation to install a meter if there is a mobile app.[6] In Daegu, loitering or airport/station waiting services are prohibited and must be operated on a reservation basis. Drivers must complete at least 16 hours of service training every year.[9]
Others
Light taxis (경형택시) have an engine displacement of less than 1,000 cc, and compact taxis (소형택시) have an engine displacement of less than 1,600 cc.
Taxi fare
Basic fares in major cities are as follows:
| City | Basic fare | Update |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | ₩4,800 | February 2023[10] |
| Busan | ₩4,800 | June 2023[10] |
| Incheon | ₩4,800 | July 2023[10] |
| Daegu | ₩4,000 | February 2023[10] |
| Daejeon | ₩4,300 | July 2023[10] |
| Gwangju | ₩4,300 | July 2023[10] |
| Ulsan | ₩4,500 | May 2025[11] |
| Sejong | ₩4,000 | August 2024[10] |
| Jeju | ₩4,300 | July 2024[10] |
Taxi vehicles
Present
Past
References
- ^ "코로나19로 승객 감소...버스·택시 9월부터 '차령 1년 연장'". Newsis. 24 August 2020.
- ^ a b "새 택시 10대 중 3대가 전기차라는데 무슨 일이". The Chosun Ilbo. 30 May 2024.
- ^ "기사님들이 '엄지척' 입소문 탔다...'인기 폭발' 전기차 택시". Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 30 May 2024.
- ^ "정부, '서울·부산 50대' 법인택시 면허 기준 낮추기로". The Chosun Ilbo. 10 July 2024.
- ^ "대형택시 13인승까지 커진다…주로 관광용 될듯". Yonhap News (in Korean). 12 October 2015.
- ^ a b "서울 K9급 고급택시 인가제 유지…"새 서비스 출현 저해"반발도". Korea Economic Daily. 16 November 2018.
- ^ "대형 택시 전성시대…'월천 기사' 쏟아진다". Korea Economic Daily. 12 May 2022.
- ^ "모범택시보다 비싼 고급택시, 10월부터 돌아다닌다". 헤럴드경제. 29 July 2015.
- ^ "대구시 고급형 택시 운영지침 마련". Yonhap News. 24 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h ""서울 수준으로 맞춰달라"…전국 택시요금 또 '꿈틀'". Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). 7 November 2024.
- ^ "울산 택시 기본요금 3월 10일부터 인상...4천→4천500원". Yonhap News (in Korean). 10 February 2025.
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