Admire the taxis in Pyongyang!

Why, dear reader, have I included a picture of a taxi, and a Beijing one at that, and asked your to admire it (as something to do) in Pyongyang?

Let me explain.

Currently there are thought to be around 250,000 private motor vehicles in North Korea which works out as approximately one vehicle per one hundred citizens.

Given this paucity of vehicle ownership, one would expect to see lots of taxis and other forms of public transport in the streets – especially in Pyongyang, a city of around 3 million inhabitants. One doesn’t, mainly because people only travel around when they have to – one doesn’t go out for coffee or for a Sunday drive in North Korea.

Until mid 2013 there were less than 100 taxis in Pyongyang. These were 1970s and 1980s Volvos and Mercedes with a few later model Volkswagens. In late 2013, inspired by the current leader Kim Jong-un’s desire to do something for the growing moneyed middle class, another roughly 700 taxis were added to the fleet. The fact that these taxis were imported from China (Shenzen based BYD Autos) explains the green and yellow colours of Beijing. They are even referred to locally as Beijing taxis.

The poorer elements of society will certainly not be cruising around Pyongyang in these taxis which are hideously expensive when compared with other forms of public transport. The flag-fall fee which, admittedly, gives you a generous four kilometres of travel is 400won or around US$4. Additional kilometres cost 100won each meaning a 10km trip would set you back US$10 or 0.3% of the average North Korean’s yearly income. An unlimited trip on the metro or a trolley bus costs 5won or $0.03 (2014).

While you may indeed be able to afford a US$10 ride in a taxi you will not (unless you get sick or have some other emergency need) have the opportunity to do so. All your travel will in Pyongyang – with the exception of a carefully managed ride on the metro or a still very rare chance to go on a trolley bus – will be on a tourist bus the size of which is dictated by the size of your group plus guides. Hence my suggestion that you admire the nice new taxis rather than take a ride in one.

This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on The Rambling Wombat’s trip to Pyongyang, North Korea which I recommend you read in a particular order.  I suggest you continue with my next entry – Pyongyang’s Alcatraz     If necessary, go to my Pyongyang introduction entry – Pyongyang – A Capital City Unlike any Other – to start this loop at the beginning.