It is not easy for seniors to get around, especially in rural areas where bus service is limited. To address the issue, the Seongsan-eup village cooperative now offers taxi rides anywhere within the community for just 1,000 won. Joseph Kim has more.
A taxi is speeding along, and makes a stop at the village community center where there are many seniors waiting. Two seniors hop on the taxi to go to the 5-day market.

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\1,000 taxi rides anywhere within Seongsan-eup

To go to the 5-day market from the village community center, the passengers only had to pay 1,000 won for the ride. This new service is called “Happy Taxi”, and is available to seniors aged 80 or older.

Interview
Kim In-soo / Seongsan-eup, Nansan-ri
There are few buses in the mid-slope region, and the service we do have is sporadic. A normal taxi would cost around 7,000 won. Getting around is more convenient and affordable with this new service.
<인터뷰 : 김인수/성산읍 난산리>
"중산간 마을에는 일반 버스도 별로 없고 1시간 10분에 하나씩 다니는데 택시를 타게 되면 6~7천 원 나옵니다. 그런데 단돈 천 원에 탈 수 있다는 게 좋습니다."

The Seongsan-eup village cooperative held an opening ceremony and started the ‘Happy taxi’ service.

Under the new program, qualifying passengers pay 1,000 won and the Seongsan-eup village cooperative picks up the rest of the bill.

Interview
Kim Gil-ho / Dir., Seongsan-eup village cooperative
A voucher and 1,000 won is good for a ride anywhere in the Seongsan-eup area. The village cooperative takes care of the rest of the fare.
<인터뷰 : 김길호/성산읍 마을 협동조합 이사장>
"티켓하고 돈 천 원만 내면 성산읍 내 어디든지 갈 수 있고, 나머지 요금은 성산읍 마을 협동조합에서 내는 걸로 해서 추진하고 있습니다."

This service was launched as part of a profit sharing arrangement from sales generated from a local luxury department store with the community.

The Seongsan-eup village cooperative will offer 13 Happy taxi vouchers each to approximately 1,000 qualifying seniors this year.

The service will be operated using local government subsidies this year, but after the local department store begins operations, the cooperative will take over management of the program.

[camera]
Hyeon Gwang-hoon


[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

Moreover, once the business turns a profit, the service will be offered to more residents.

The Happy taxi program has managed to resolve longstanding transportation issues for many of the elderly living in the village.

Joseph Kim KCTV