By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul will introduce ``international taxis'' for tourists and expatriates living in the city from May 1. However, even before the official launch, most foreign nationals are unhappy about fares that are 20 percent higher than normal cabs.
The city will initially license 119 taxis and increase the number to 300 by August. Basically, the international taxis provide translation services in English and Japanese based on a reservation system. A Chinese service will be available from September.
``The international taxis are going to be an important part of the tourism infrastructure,'' a city official said. ``It will help reduce such problems as language barrier, rip-offs, reckless driving and unkindness.''
Unlike the Seoul signature Haechi cab, which has an orange-colored pattern on a white background, international taxis will be entirely orange. All drivers will have passed foreign language tests run by the city.
The international taxi has a different fare system than regular cabs. For the meter fare system, passengers have to pay a 20 percent additional charge than fares charged by regular taxies. The taxi accepts T-Money cards and other credit cards as well, and must be reserved.
International taxis have three types ㅡ mid-size, deluxe and large-size. A fixed fare is charged from the airport to three locations downtown or vice versa. For example, it costs 65,000 won for mid-size taxis and 95,000 won for deluxe taxis from Incheon International Airport to the Gwanghwamun area, which is some 60-kilometers away.
There is a special rate for charters ㅡ 50,000 won for three hours, 80,000 won for five hours and a maximum of 200,000 won per day.
If not reserved, any customers including foreigners can take the cabs for the same fare as regular taxis.
``Though the fare is more expensive than regular taxis' the international taxi provides high-quality service including translation and a standardized fare system,'' said Kwon Yoo-ahn, of the city. ``Customers can have information about the rate system in advance and they can decide before taking a cab.''
A call center for information and reservations can be reached at 1644-2255 (English and Japanese available) around the clock and online at www.internationaltaxi.co.kr or www.intltaxi.co.kr.
``Tourists can reserve a taxi through the Internet according to their flight time before coming to Korea,'' Kwon added.
There will be exclusive information desks, taxi stands, and waiting areas for international taxis at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport. Several spots downtown, such as Insa-dong, Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market will also have international taxi stands.
Though the city says the rate system was reviewed by expatriates and a 20 percent premium is rather inexpensive for the service it provides, foreign nationals in the city feel it's discriminatory.
``I think all taxi rates should be equal and foreigners shouldn't be penalized for language,'' said Barrington Edwards, 37, a curriculum specialist. ``For tourists, it is unfair to be charged more because they don't know the native language of Korea. They come to spend money here but they want to be welcomed, not pay more for taxis.''
Selim Khar, 24, who is from Turkey, said: ``It's really useless to do something like that. It never contributes to the welfare of foreigners residing in Korea because normal taxis are often providing free interpretation.''