[Courtesy of Kia]
Through the new model equipped with the app meter, taxi companies can calculate fares based on traveling distances and routes instead of the existing system that uses electric signals according to the number of wheel turns. The GPS-based taximeter will also give an estimated fare before moving and passengers can check the fare in real-time while on the move.
Kia said in a statement on September 14 that the company teamed up with T-Money, a digital transport payment service company, to apply the GPS-based taxi meter to Niro EV taxis. The app meter, integrated with the conventional taxi meter, will offer a hybrid service.
Kia will also run a regular consultative body with T-Money to provide services that can improve the convenience of passengers such as phone reservation and remote payment. To minimize errors when passing tunnels or parking lots where GPS signals are unstable, the new model will use the conventional electric signal-based system through the hybrid system.
"We will develop various life care services for taxi passengers with T-Money," Head of Strategic Business Planning Division at Kia Kim Sang-dae, was quoted as saying.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in February that the meters can be remotely checked by taxi drivers and companies. To enhance convenience, the ministry added that a new form of taxi fares such as regular subscriptions can be also developed.
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