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| Taxis wait for passengers outside Seoul Station in central Seoul, Feb. 1. Yonhap |
By Kim Se-jeong
As the base taxi fare in Seoul reached 4,800 won on Wednesday, 1,000 won higher than the day earlier, many passengers expressed their surprise.
A woman in her 40s who took a taxi from Seoul Station to Insa-dong said she was shocked looking at the money she spent.
"I don't use taxis so much, but today, I spent almost 8,000 won for a short distance, which is just too much. Taxis are no longer an affordable option for me."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government pushed for the hike citing a shortage of cabs in the city.
Another woman in her 20s said, "I use taxis quite often because I need to bring food for my father at work, but today will be the last day. I will try to use buses more often from now on."
A man in his 50s who works as a substitute driver said, "I need two to three taxi rides every night because of my work. It will cost me quite a lot from now on."
Complaints were also heard from taxi drivers.
"The fare rise won't help me take more money home. All other prices have gone up," one taxi driver said. "I project this move will rather discourage people to ride taxis."
The taxi fare is among many service fees going up these days. Bus and subway fares are also expected to go up soon.
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