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| Will you take the foreigner taxi? |
| yes |
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4% |
[ 2 ] |
| no |
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56% |
[ 23 ] |
| I haven't thought about it |
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4% |
[ 2 ] |
| This is my first time hearing of it |
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19% |
[ 8 ] |
| I haven't decided, yet. |
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4% |
[ 2 ] |
| Maybe one time to see if they really DO speak English |
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9% |
[ 4 ] |
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| Total Votes : 41 |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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 Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:51 am Post subject: This taxi is for YOU! |
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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/04/117_43496.html
| Quote: |
04-20-2009 18:58
Taxi for Foreigners Debuts in May
International Taxi
High Fare Draws Complaints From Expatriates
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul City introduces ``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 about 20 percent higher than normal cabs.
It will initially operate 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. Chinese service will be available from September.
``The international taxis are going to be an important part of tourism infrastructure,'' a city official said. ``It will help reduce such problems as language barrier, rip-offs, reckless driving and unkindness.''
Unlike Seoul signature Haechi cab, which has an orange-colored pattern on a white background, international taxis are entirely orange. All their drivers have passed foreign language tests of the city.
The international taxi has a different fare system than regular cabs. For the meter fare system, foreigners have to pay 20 percent additional charge than other regular taxies. The taxi accepts T-Money card and other credit card 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, non-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 feels 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 at 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.''
[email protected] |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
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| R - are you trying to be real reality the second? |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:27 am Post subject: |
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| I noticed the part about Koreans not having to pay the extra 20 percent if the cab is not taken. This makes me wonder if I ride with my GF, and she does all the talking, will we be charged the extra 20% because I am sitting in the back seat????? |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:48 am Post subject: |
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Will other cabs ignore foreigners?  |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:49 am Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| Will other cabs ignore foreigners? |
You mean they don't already?  |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:11 am Post subject: |
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| I speak Korean well enough to use regular taxis, but I might give these taxis a try at least once. I dunno why anybody would be up in arms over Seoul introducing foreigner-only taxis. They have the same thing, more or less, in Bangkok, and I don't see how non-Korean-speaking tourists would be hurt by having more services in English. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:30 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| ``It will help reduce such problems as language barrier, rip-offs, reckless driving and unkindness.'' |
Ironic they claim it will reduce rip-offs when in fact foreigners are being charged 20% MORE simply by not being Korean. |
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Ruthdes
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:36 am Post subject: |
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| As long as regular taxis don't use this as YET another excuse not to take non-Korean people, I don't care. But I am very proud of my ability to direct a taxi in Korean, and will be annoyed if I get the dismissive handwave more often and told to look for a weigookin taxi. |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:41 am Post subject: |
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| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| Quote: |
| ``It will help reduce such problems as language barrier, rip-offs, reckless driving and unkindness.'' |
Ironic they claim it will reduce rip-offs when in fact foreigners are being charged 20% MORE simply by not being Korean. |
No, they aren't charged more because they aren't Korean. They are charged more because they are getting an extra service, in this case English. I mean, the taxi drivers need an incentive to learn English, no? Hence, higher fare. Same with the English-speaking taxis in Bangkok. Only there they cost 100% more than regular taxis. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:57 am Post subject: |
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| fustiancorduroy wrote: |
| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| Quote: |
| ``It will help reduce such problems as language barrier, rip-offs, reckless driving and unkindness.'' |
Ironic they claim it will reduce rip-offs when in fact foreigners are being charged 20% MORE simply by not being Korean. |
No, they aren't charged more because they aren't Korean. They are charged more because they are getting an extra service, in this case English. I mean, the taxi drivers need an incentive to learn English, no? Hence, higher fare. Same with the English-speaking taxis in Bangkok. Only there they cost 100% more than regular taxis. |
So I can take the taxi, speak Korean, and I will get the regular fare (without the 20% added)?
Taxis, as they operate now, already offer translations services WITHOUT the added 20%. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:00 am Post subject: |
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My prediction: epic fail 
I really, really hope this doesn't affect those of us who have taken the time to learn the language and don't need the service. |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:20 am Post subject: |
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| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
Taxis, as they operate now, already offer translations services WITHOUT the added 20%. |
You're right, but I guess that service is less intuitive than a driver who speaks English. And again, the extra money (well, at least some of it) would go to the driver because he has learned at least some English. That's how I see it, but I can understand your point. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:29 am Post subject: |
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I'll just have to take the taxi and speak entirely in German or Romanian and see if (1) I get charged the extra for being a foreigner or (2) I get charged regular price because I am not using the translation "service". If Koreans won't get charged the extra fee because they won't be using the service, then I would expect the same fare if I don't... we'll see.
No use speculating until I can see what they do in action. |
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reactionary
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Location: korreia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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| this sounds like it will be limited...call taxis/reservations...i'm sure you'll still be able to take regular taxis (they wnat your money too, you know) |
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HapKi
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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a) learn enough of the language to give simple directions
b) by thankful that taxis are cheap here, with or without the 'foreigner charge."
Have you ever taken one in London, Tokyo, or San Francisco? |
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