'Press 120+6' to hail a taxi... Usage 'jumps' after ARS launch

[Financial News] Seoul Metropolitan Government's dedicated ARS service, option 6, for the '120 Donghaeng Call Taxi'—introduced for digitally vulnerable people who have difficulty using smartphone apps—has seen a sharp increase in usage.
The 120 Dasan Call Foundation said on the 11th that usage of the service totaled 4,423 cases over the 19 days from the 13th to the 31st of last month.
The 120 Dasan Call Foundation had previously introduced an ARS system that connects callers directly to a dedicated call center when they dial 02-120 and press '6' following the voice instructions.
In fact, the average number of daily connections rose from 125 during the six days immediately before option 6 was introduced to approximately 160 during the six days immediately afterward. In response, the foundation began operating the service more smoothly, including by hiring two additional counselors on the 1st.
The main inquiries received involved everyday transportation needs, such as elderly people living alone traveling to hospitals, parents returning home after being discharged following surgery, and family members traveling to care facilities.
The foundation plans to analyze citizens' suggestions, including repeated inquiries and delays in taxi dispatch, share the findings with Seoul Metropolitan Government, and actively incorporate them into service improvements.
Song Ju-beom, chairman of the 120 Dasan Call Foundation, emphasized, "People should not have difficulty using taxis simply because they are unfamiliar with taxi-hailing apps. We will carefully listen to voices from the field and put assisted mobility into practice so that anyone can use the service easily and conveniently with just one phone call."
[email protected] Seong Cho-rong Reporter