<b>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea </b> - Taxi service has doubled in the past week under interim measures as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service continues to work to bring back full taxi service.
"We have 100 taxis operating on our streets now," said Shawn Dorcy, AAFES Area II general manager. "I'm getting positive feedback across the board from customers."
The additional 50 taxis brings service capacity closer to levels seen before AAFES officials terminated the previous contract. Drivers with World Cup Taxi Service had staged several labor strikes since March. In June, AAFES terminated the primary taxi contract with World Cup because the contractor did not follow through on its contractually-obligated service, Dorcy said.
At any given time before the strike, nearly 100 taxis operated on Yongsan. During peak time periods, the number of taxis increased to about 140.
The current company, Yonhap, has been AAFES' secondary contractor since early 2007. "They've really stepped up," Dorcy said.
Meanwhile, Dorcy said AAFES is still working to contract a primary taxi company for a long-term solution.
Since the strike started in March, U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan increased shuttle bus service to help ensure community members get around.
Shuttle buses run very 15 minutes at all bus stops on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On the weekends, buses run every 15 minutes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Garrison officials have asked the community to support a voluntary ride-share program, on or off post. The ride-share is available from the Dragon Hill Lodge, the Yongsan Commissary and the Main Exchange.
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