Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Uiryeong plans to make its demand-based taxis free
Uiryeong County in South Korea plans to make its Happy Taxi service free for residents in areas with little or no bus service.
The taxis run when residents request them, and the service currently covers 87 villages where eligible residents are registered and live.
Under the proposed changes, residents would no longer pay 1,000 won per vehicle, and the county could cover operating costs from its budget.
The monthly limit would rise from 36 to 50 trips per village, with actual service adjusted based on use, local conditions and bus routes.
The county estimates free rides would require about 100 million won in extra annual funding.
Residents can comment until November 3, after which the plan must go through consultations with central government and a county council vote before it can take effect.
Uiryeong County in South Korea is pursuing free rides on its demand-based Happy Taxi service.
The proposed changes would remove the current 1,000-won passenger contribution and allow the county to fund operating costs.
The monthly ride limit per village would rise from 36 to 50.
The service operates in 87 villages where buses do not run or are inconvenient to use.
The county estimates that making the taxis free would require about 100 million won in additional annual funding.
- Who
- Uiryeong County is proposing the change for residents of villages served by the Happy Taxi.
- What
- The county plans to make Happy Taxi rides free and raise the monthly ride limit per village.
- When
- The county announced the proposal on October 31, 2026. It plans to introduce free service after consultation and a county council vote.
- Where
- Uiryeong County, South Korea.
- Why
- The county says the service would improve transport access for residents in areas with limited or inconvenient bus service.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Uiryeong began operating its free public bus service, known as the Bbang Bbang Bus.
The county issued advance notice of proposed revisions to its Happy Taxi ordinance and enforcement rules.
The county announced the proposal and said it would receive public comments through November 3.
The county plans to introduce free Happy Taxi rides.
- Service area
- 87 villages
- Current passenger contribution
- 1,000 won per taxi
- Monthly village limit
- Proposed increase from 36 to 50 rides
- Estimated additional annual funding
- About 100 million won
1 source
What people are saying
We are seeking to improve residents’ transport welfare by linking Happy Taxis to areas where buses run infrequently or cannot reach.
We also expect buses and taxis to complement each other and create synergies.