-- Cooperation with Seoul Metropolitan Government and Airport Corporation to crack down on unfair fares and solicitation in the Arena and Airport Terminal areas
The Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has begun a large-scale joint guidance and crackdown in cooperation with related organizations this month to eradicate illegal activities of some taxis in the Incheon Airport Taxi Joint Business Area, which allows taxis to operate in Incheon, Seoul, and Gyeonggi (Goyang, Gimpo, Bucheon, and Gwangmyeong).
The city of Incheon has been discussing solutions with Jung-gu Office and Incheon International Airport Corporation since April to solve the problem of long-term parking and illegal solicitation at the airport terminal. In response, preliminary publicity was conducted through the airport corporation from May to June, and from July, each district office will promptly take administrative action against illegal activities detected by airport corporation enforcement officers.
In addition to the airport terminal, the Incheon Airport Taxi Joint Business Area includes the Inspire Arena, a large-scale performance facility. Recently, whenever a famous K-Pop group performs at the venue, there have been numerous reports of unfair taxi fares for the crowds that gather after the performance.
Inspire operates 10 to 15 free shuttle buses to Terminal 2, depending on the size of the concert, but the demand for taxis remains high due to long waiting times. Illegal activities such as unfair fare demands by some taxis that take advantage of this can give a negative image of Incheon to foreign tourists, so it is necessary to take active measures.
In response, Incheon City conducted an on-site inspection in June, interviewed Inspire officials, and conducted a joint late-night guidance and crackdown with Jung-gu Office on the 21st. As many of the taxis waiting near the arena were identified as Seoul Taxi, the city requested Seoul's cooperation, and on July 5, the city conducted a large-scale joint crackdown with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Incheon Jung-gu Office, and Jungbu Police Station, involving more than 40 people.
The crackdown was centered on the temporary taxi stand at the arena and nearby roadsides, where taxi drivers were monitored and warned against extortionate fares, picking and choosing passengers, and illegal taxi business activities using private cars.
In addition, Incheon City suggested to Inspire to improve the taxi boarding system and expand the number of shuttle buses, and through consultation with stakeholders, the city decided to secure parking spaces for taxis, expand the supply of free shuttle buses, and adjust the routes from this month. We will continue to work together to improve the convenience of using taxis for visitors.
"This joint crackdown was a large-scale measure in which Incheon and Seoul joined forces to eradicate illegal activities," said Kim In-soo, director of the city's transportation department. "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with related organizations so that citizens and tourists can use taxis with peace of mind."
