It wouldn’t be Korea if somebody wasn’t protesting something:
Anti-carpool protesters raise pickets reading “Illegal carpool app service OUT,” “Illegal personal vehicle service in disguise of carpool OUT” and “Keep passenger transport industry ordered.”
A walkout by thousands of taxi drivers in protest against a commercial carpool service disrupted commuters heading to works during morning rush hour on Thursday.
The stoppage began at 4 a.m. to protest against the recent launch of Kakao T Carpool, a ride-sharing service designed to connect ordinary drivers to passengers during the morning and evening rush hours. The taxi drivers claim the top mobile messaging company’s service will kill the industry. [Korea Times]
You can read more at the link, but the ride share apps are a threat to the established taxi industry across the world. The way I look at this is that this would be like retail store workers protesting against Amazon instead of evolving with the times and making a better service or product to entice consumers.
They want the big brother Korean government to step in and fix the market in their favor. Idiots.
What they should be doing is joining these apps and prepare themselves for the new age. Instead, they’re out there waving their fists. Sick of these protestors.
ChickenHead
5 years ago
The problem is that taxis are regulated.
In the past, taxis could take several people going in the same direction. The economics make sense.
Now, that is prohibited.
Regulators cannot have it all ways.
flyingsword
5 years ago
fools can’t keep up with the changing times. maybe they should learn to drive and stop refusing to pick people up.
ChickenHead
5 years ago
“fools can’t keep up with the changing times.”
They cannot keep up because regulations are not equal.
Take away unequal regulations, and they will keep up just fine.
The problem is not ride-share, taxi drivers, or competition. The problem is an unlevel playing field due to unequal regulation.
This is a difference crony capitalism and free enterprise.
Smokes
5 years ago
Medallions. That will solve it all.
setnaffa
5 years ago
Smokes, isn’t misuse of a Medallion the thing they caught Cohen for?
J6Junkie
5 years ago
Their licences still cost a pretty penny to be a minimum wage worker.
Smokes
5 years ago
Setnaffa, one of the things. I was kidding anyway, the medallion program is probably the best example of crony capitalism. Terrible program.
setnaffa
5 years ago
Well, I guess it’s good I didn’t make it to Korea this year…
Then again, with no cabs, how is the traffic?
Flyingsword
5 years ago
I always wish for a good ride share app when the taxis refuse to pick me up….
setnaffa
5 years ago
When my wife emigrated from Korea, we had 4 of the “immigration bags” plus assorted carryon stuff. Somehow, the silver call taxi that picked up her and most of the luggage never made it back to pick up me and the rest of the luggage, so I had to hump it a couple of klicks to a hotel with black taxis. This was before either of us had a cell phone, so she was almost frantic. Fortunately, we made it to the bus stop and to the airport in time for our flight.
Although I have forgiven the driver, I won’t forget the experience. Ever. Well, maybe eventually. Not enough room in my noggin for rude taxi drivers.
They want the big brother Korean government to step in and fix the market in their favor. Idiots.
What they should be doing is joining these apps and prepare themselves for the new age. Instead, they’re out there waving their fists. Sick of these protestors.
The problem is that taxis are regulated.
In the past, taxis could take several people going in the same direction. The economics make sense.
Now, that is prohibited.
Regulators cannot have it all ways.
fools can’t keep up with the changing times. maybe they should learn to drive and stop refusing to pick people up.
“fools can’t keep up with the changing times.”
They cannot keep up because regulations are not equal.
Take away unequal regulations, and they will keep up just fine.
The problem is not ride-share, taxi drivers, or competition. The problem is an unlevel playing field due to unequal regulation.
This is a difference crony capitalism and free enterprise.
Medallions. That will solve it all.
Smokes, isn’t misuse of a Medallion the thing they caught Cohen for?
Their licences still cost a pretty penny to be a minimum wage worker.
Setnaffa, one of the things. I was kidding anyway, the medallion program is probably the best example of crony capitalism. Terrible program.
Well, I guess it’s good I didn’t make it to Korea this year…
Then again, with no cabs, how is the traffic?
I always wish for a good ride share app when the taxis refuse to pick me up….
When my wife emigrated from Korea, we had 4 of the “immigration bags” plus assorted carryon stuff. Somehow, the silver call taxi that picked up her and most of the luggage never made it back to pick up me and the rest of the luggage, so I had to hump it a couple of klicks to a hotel with black taxis. This was before either of us had a cell phone, so she was almost frantic. Fortunately, we made it to the bus stop and to the airport in time for our flight.
Although I have forgiven the driver, I won’t forget the experience. Ever. Well, maybe eventually. Not enough room in my noggin for rude taxi drivers.