서울 택시, 프리미엄 시대를 향한 질주: 규제 완화가 가져올 명과 암 > K-wave Trends

The most key change in this amendment is that the paradigm for changing the taxi business type is changing from the ‘authorization system’ to the ‘reporting system’. Previously, if a mid-size taxi operator wanted to change their business to a luxury or large taxi, they had to go through a difficult approval process from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, resulting in significant time and administrative costs. However, now, as long as there are no disqualifications stipulated by law, it is possible to change business registration just by reporting, greatly securing the mobility of taxi operators. This can be interpreted as a strategic decision by Seoul City to increase administrative convenience and create an environment that can flexibly respond to changes in market demand. Although Seoul City has previously operated a reporting system as an internal policy, the prevailing opinion is that by codifying it in the ordinance, the predictability and transparency of the policy have been further increased.

Another noteworthy change is the bold deletion of the ‘accident-free requirement’, which had been holding back business operations in order to lower the threshold for business operations. In the past, a strict zero-accident record was required when changing business classification, so many taxi operators hesitated or gave up on switching. In the case of private taxis, even business suspensions or fines that occurred within the past year are excluded from the requirements, opening up wider opportunities for business expansion for business operators who have been operating faithfully. Corporate taxis also significantly lowered the overall entry barrier by shortening the verification period for vehicle reduction disposition history from 2 years to 1 year and shortening the training completion time. This is interpreted as an active policy intention to expand citizens' choices by providing more diverse types of premium mobility services to the market, rather than simply relaxing regulations.

Of course, this relaxation does not grant unconditional freedom to all taxi operators. Businesses who are in a state of suspension or closure are fundamentally excluded from conversion, and businesses that have received a tax reduction order for less than one year or for which related administrative litigation is in progress are also subject to restrictions. Additionally, to ensure quality of service, business operators who wish to switch to large vans or luxury taxis must complete specialized training designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. These safety devices will serve as a minimum filter to prevent deregulation from deteriorating service quality or indiscriminate market entry. Ultimately, this amendment demonstrates the city of Seoul's balanced approach to maximize the market's autonomy while still strictly managing the responsibilities and capabilities required as a public transportation business.

Looking behind the policy, there are also concerns about the market imbalance that this change may cause. With approximately 150 conversion applications being made annually, it is highly likely that more operators will flock to the highly profitable luxury and large taxis once regulations are lifted. Criticism is raised that if the concentration on luxury taxis becomes excessive, the supply of regular mid-sized taxis that serve the common people may decrease, increasing the fare burden and difficulty in catching a taxi. Some in the taxi industry are also raising their voices, pointing out that the concentration on certain vehicle types can distort the entire taxi supply and demand ecosystem, and that the city of Seoul must closely monitor future market conditions. In order for the policy to be effective in a positive direction, sophisticated complementary measures must be implemented to resolve this supply-demand imbalance problem.