CAMP CASEY, South Korea — Ten taxis from a second company will ease demand for rides at Dongducheon-area bases beginning Saturday, Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Area I officials said this week.
The Yonhap Transportation taxis will use their own fare system, meaning short trips could be cheaper than those in the existing World Cup Arirang Tourism taxis. However, the Yonhap taxis will not have the same $5 fare cap that World Cup uses on Camp Casey.
Yonhap charges 1,900 won (about $2.06 based on a 923 won-to-the-dollar exchange rate) for the first 2 kilometers, then 100 won (about 11 cents) for every 100 meters up until the third kilometer.
Customers can ask for that day’s conversion rate and pay in dollars if they wish, officials said.
World Cup Arirang Tourism, which operates the black taxis on post, starts its meters in dollars at $2.50 for 1,700 meters or five minutes, whichever elapses first.
Yonhap Transportation will have the 10 taxis operating on post between 11 a.m. and 1 a.m., officials said.
Soldiers said they hope the new taxis will reduce the wait sometimes experienced when calling taxis and waiting at taxi stands.
“They tell you they’ll be here in 10 minutes, and it takes 20 minutes,” said Pfc. Branden Patten, of the 333rd Field Artillery Regiment.
Patten’s friend, Cpl. Sammy Evans of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery, said he hoped the new company would create price competition.
However, he says it’s too soon to tell whether the 10 taxis will fulfill demand.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Evans said.
In August, camps Red Cloud and Stanley in Uijeongbu began allowing taxis from a second company to operate on base. Camp Humphreys and Yongsan Garrison also began using a second company last year.
“I’ve dealt with those new cabs on [Camp Red Cloud], and they’re a lot cheaper,” said Pfc. Thomas Kling, of 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery’s headquarters battery.
Kling’s wife, Catherine, agreed, saying that Arirang taxis to her nearby apartment end up costing more than local taxis.
Yonhap Transportation
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily
Phone number: Individual drivers’ cell phones, provided by individual taxis
Call charge: 1,000 won
Fares: First 2 kilometers: 1,900 won
Every 200 meters between the second and third kilometer: 100 won
Every 200 meters after the third kilometer: 200 won
Every 48 seconds while driving under 15 kph after the initial charge period expires: 100 won
After midnight charge: 20 percent extra
Charge upon exiting Dongducheon City: 20 percent
World Cup Arirang Tourism
Hours: 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday
7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, holidays and training days
Phone number: 730-2851 or 730-2853
Call charge: None
Fares: First 1,700 meters or five minutes: $2.50
Every additional 270 meters or 90 seconds: $.25
Every 60 seconds while driving under 15 kph after the initial charge period: $.25
Night charge after midnight: 20 percent
Camp Casey and Camp Hovey on-post only maximum rate: $5 (one stop only)
Source: Army and Air Force Exchange Service
