Seoul City will have all taxis install digital meters by the end of this year as part of efforts to prevent fare fraud and improve services, officials said Wednesday.

Of the 72,418 cabs operating in the city, 43 percent currently use the high-tech calculator, each receiving a 100,000 won ($93) subsidy from the city government.

The city plans to make it mandatory for all taxis starting next year. Drivers who do not install them will be fined up to 1.2 million won.

The digital meters can preclude distance manipulation by drivers and keep records of all driving information, including speed, distance, location and engine rotation rate on an hourly basis for more than six months.

The city will utilize all the collected information to improve taxi services and policies.

The city government is also planning to obligate buses and commercial trucks to install them. 

(rene@heraldcorp.com)