Uijeongbu City Conducts Pre-Implementation Inspection of Taxi Transport Operators

Uijeongbu City (Mayor Ahn Byung-yong) will conduct a pre-implementation inspection from September 6 to 14 targeting 15 corporate taxi operators in the city regarding "operational compliance with cost shifting prohibition" in accordance with Article 12 (Cost Shifting Prohibition, etc.) of the 'Taxi Transport Business Development Act,' which will be enforced from October 1.

The main inspection items include △"prohibition of taxi purchase cost shifting"—the practice of collecting all costs incurred in vehicle purchases from employees; △"prohibition of fuel cost shifting"—passing fuel expenses to transport workers; △"prohibition of car washing cost shifting"—costs for vehicle maintenance to ensure cleanliness during taxi operations; and △"prohibition of traffic accident handling cost shifting"—all expenses related to accident settlement.

According to Articles 21 and 25 of the 'Taxi Development Act Enforcement Decree,' penalties for violations include a warning and 5 million won fine for the first violation, business suspension (90-120 days) and 10 million won fine for the second violation, and fleet reduction order or license revocation and 10 million won fine for three or more violations.

The inspection will be conducted to promote and guide operators prior to the system's implementation. The city plans to explain the disciplinary measures and focus on preventing illegal practices and resolving labor-management conflicts. To ensure the system takes root, the city plans to conduct regular compliance surveys twice yearly, once in the first half and once in the second half.

Lee Gwang-sik, Director of Transportation Planning, stated, "Since this system will be expanded to other cities across Gyeonggi Province, we hope it will lead to substantive improvements in the treatment of taxi drivers and enhanced service quality for passengers. Our city will actively work toward prompt implementation of the system."