“Urged to Join an MLM Scheme in a Taxi” ... Slow Driving on the Highway Also Ran Up the Fare

[Financial News] A claim surfaced that a taxi driver on the highway slowed down while pitching a passenger on joining a multilevel marketing business, causing the passenger to arrive late at their destination. Another passenger said a taxi driver demanded an extra fare in an area where surcharges do not apply, then withdrew the demand after the passenger objected.
On JTBC’s “Sageon Banjang,” which aired on the 14th, passengers recounted uncomfortable experiences with taxi drivers who pitched business opportunities and made improper fare demands.
Passenger A said they hailed a taxi through an app early that morning and traveled from Busan to Gimhae. During the trip, the driver allegedly urged A to join a multilevel marketing business.
At first, it was ordinary conversation. But about 5–10 minutes after A got into the taxi, the driver began introducing a multilevel marketing business, A said. The driver took out a related booklet and explained the company and its business, and also reportedly gave A a business card.
A said the driver continued explaining the multilevel marketing business even after entering the highway. A claimed that although there was almost no other traffic nearby, the driver traveled slowly at 50–60 km/h and pressed the brakes several times while driving.
A said the driver’s slow driving meant they arrived at their destination more than 10 minutes later than expected. A also claimed that, because the trip took longer, the taxi fare was higher than initially expected.
A later reported the problem to the company operating the taxi-hailing app they had used. However, A said the company did not provide specific guidance on how to resolve it.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter