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▼ Trial Starts For Short-distance Taxi Trips
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TOKYO (Jiji Press)— Japan’s transport ministry started a demonstration trial for short-distance taxi trips in Tokyo on Friday, looking to gauge demand for rides at a reduced minimum fare.
In the trial, the starting fare is set at ¥410 for about one kilometer, down from the current ¥730 for 2 kilometers. The ministry is currently screening an application for the reduced fare.
A total of 40 taxis operated by 23 companies, including Tokyo-based Nihon Kotsu Co., are participating in the test. After the trial, the new taxi service is expected to make its formal debut early next year at the earliest.
Taxi operators anticipate demand from passengers with heavy bags or caught in sudden rain with no umbrella. Groups of three people or so are seen finding it easy to use taxis at the reduced fare.
After the new starting-fare distance of 1,059 meters, ¥80 will be charged per 237 meters, compared with the current ¥90 per 280 meters. This suggests that the new taxis will not be suitable for long-distance trips.
“The fare of ¥410 is cheaper than lunch for a company employee,” said Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association Chairman Ichiro Kawanabe, also chairman of Nihon Kotsu. “We hope to make taxis easily accessible for people again and stimulate demand for close-distance travel.”
But one passenger said, “It’s good for short-distance rides, but the problem is that longer-distance trips will be more expensive.”
The trial will be conducted from Friday, designated as Taxi Day, to Sept. 15.
In the initial phase, the new-type taxis are available in front of Tobu Railway Co.’s Asakusa Station and the east exit of East Japan Railway Co.’s Shinbashi Station.
In the trial, the starting fare is set at ¥410 for about one kilometer, down from the current ¥730 for 2 kilometers. The ministry is currently screening an application for the reduced fare.
A total of 40 taxis operated by 23 companies, including Tokyo-based Nihon Kotsu Co., are participating in the test. After the trial, the new taxi service is expected to make its formal debut early next year at the earliest.
Taxi operators anticipate demand from passengers with heavy bags or caught in sudden rain with no umbrella. Groups of three people or so are seen finding it easy to use taxis at the reduced fare.
After the new starting-fare distance of 1,059 meters, ¥80 will be charged per 237 meters, compared with the current ¥90 per 280 meters. This suggests that the new taxis will not be suitable for long-distance trips.
“The fare of ¥410 is cheaper than lunch for a company employee,” said Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association Chairman Ichiro Kawanabe, also chairman of Nihon Kotsu. “We hope to make taxis easily accessible for people again and stimulate demand for close-distance travel.”
But one passenger said, “It’s good for short-distance rides, but the problem is that longer-distance trips will be more expensive.”
The trial will be conducted from Friday, designated as Taxi Day, to Sept. 15.
In the initial phase, the new-type taxis are available in front of Tobu Railway Co.’s Asakusa Station and the east exit of East Japan Railway Co.’s Shinbashi Station.
- August 8, 2016
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