A union of private taxi drivers said Sunday they will conduct a comprehensive inspection on cabs that are outdated, smelly and unsanitary.

A union of independent taxis in Seoul City said it would survey a total of 16,200 member cabs running in the capital. Those to be effected have been in use for at least four years and six months. Each owner of an applicable taxi has been informed.

The survey will be conducted at six designated gas stations with a team of four inspectors to examine the interior and exterior of the vehicles.

Points for review will include whether the cabs wreak of smoke or other musty smells such as from poor maintenance of air conditioning filters. They will also look at the sanitary level of the car seat covers and mats.

The level of uncleanliness will be graded good, fair or poor. Those with poor grades will immediately undergo cleaning at the site, replacing the seats and mats and using antibacterial steam cleaners.

Those with fair grades will be cleaned with antibacterial deodorizers as well.

The inspection will also look into whether there are any illegal advertisements stuck in or on the outside of the taxis, and whether the signs and security lights installed inside the cabs work properly.

“The inspection will be completed on older cabs before being applying to all 50,000 cabs belonging to the union by October, in order to provide safer and more pleasant service for the citizens,” the union said.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)