The basic fare for medium-sized taxis in Seoul will increase by 1,000 won (26%) from 3,800 won to 4,800 won from 4:00 am on February 1.



It is expected that the burden felt by citizens will increase further due to the expansion of the late-night surcharge, which has been applied since December last year, and the recent rise in heating costs.



Along with the 1,000 won increase in the basic fare for medium-sized taxis, the basic distance will be reduced from the current 2 km to 1.6 km.



In addition, the per-distance rate will be adjusted from the current 100 won per 132m to 100 won per 131m, and the hourly rate will be adjusted from 100 won per 31 seconds to 100 won per 30 seconds.



As a result, the fare meter starts to rise faster and rises faster.



For example, if you travel about 7 km from Jonggak Station to Sinsa Station during the daytime (4:00 am - 10:00 pm), the taxi fare was 9,600 won before, but from February, it will increase by 1,400 won (14.6%) to 11,000 won.



Late at night (10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day), the fare increases further in line with the expansion of the surcharge.



From December 1 of last year, the late-night surcharge start time was moved forward by 2 hours from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.



From 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the next day, when passengers are crowded, a flexible fare with an increased surcharge from 20% to 40% is also being applied.



Accordingly, if you travel about 10km from Jonggak Station to Gangnam Station in the middle of the night from February, you will have to pay 17,700 won for a taxi.



This is an increase of 4,000 won (29.2%) compared to 1,900 won (12.0%) from the current (15,800 won) and from 13,700 won (13,700 won) before December last year, when there was no late-night premium adjustment.



The basic fare for the rest of Seoul's model and large-size taxis will rise by 500 won from the current 6,500 won per 3 km to 7,000 won per 3 km from February.



The section and charter rates for foreign tourist taxis will also increase by 5,000 to 10,000 won to match the adjustment of the basic taxi fare.



Following taxis, subway and city bus fare hikes for the first time in eight years are also pending.



The city of Seoul plans to hold a public hearing on the 10th of next month with the goal of raising the price in April, and proceed with related procedures such as hearing the opinions of the city council and deliberation by the Price Countermeasure Committee.



An increase of 300 to 400 won is discussed.



Currently, general fares for public transportation in Seoul are 1,250 won for the subway and 1,200 won for the intra-city bus based on the credit card.



If you increase by 300 won, it will be 1,550 won for the subway and 1,500 won for the intra-city bus.



In terms of cash, the price goes up to 1,650 won for the subway and 1,600 won for the city bus.



(Photo = Yonhap News)