The so-called “Japanese version of ride sharing” is operated by a taxi company, and in which ordinary drivers use their own cars to transport people for a fee. The service began in Tokyo on April 8th, the earliest such service in the country. We have summarized the fares and operating hours in Tokyo.
Tokyo 23 Wards Musashino City Mitaka City “Ride sharing begins”
“Japanese ride sharing” is a system in which a taxi company is the operating entity that provides training and operation management, and ordinary drivers use private cars to transport people for a fee. The service began on April 8th in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Musashino City, and Mitaka City, the first in the country, and a departure ceremony was held in Tokyo attended by taxi companies and others.
At the ceremony, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito and Minister of Digital Kono cut the tape, followed by a total of nine vehicles from five companies departing. According to the industry group, the nine drivers are self-employed people and housewives in their 20s to 50s with ordinary licenses, and they operate their own cars under the safety management of taxi companies.
Operating hours in Tokyo are…
The fare is the same as a taxi and can be used using a ride-hailing app, and the service is also available in other vehicles in Tokyo.
Operation is permitted only in areas, days of the week, and times when there is a shortage of taxis.
In Tokyo
Monday to Thursday from 7am to 10am
Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
On Sundays, the hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Tokyo Hire Taxi Association” Chairman Ichiro Kawanabe
“We want to reduce the number of people who cannot use taxis due to the lack of taxis by introducing ride sharing.”
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito “I understood the flow of movement using an app”
The “Japanese version of ride sharing” is expected to begin in some areas of Kanagawa, Aichi, and Kyoto prefectures from this month (April), with the aim of resolving the taxi shortage and ensuring the safety of operations. That is required.
A woman in her 40s who provided a ride-sharing service said:
A woman in her 40s who provided the service
“I usually work as a nursing care taxi driver, but I wanted to try my hand at becoming a rideshare driver in my free time.The training at the taxi company was longer than I expected, including lectures and practical training. I felt it was necessary for safe driving.I like driving and was interested in ride sharing, so I want to do my best.”
At the departure ceremony on the 8th, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito and Minister of Digital Kono used a ride-hailing app to call a vehicle and experience the process of boarding the vehicle.
Minister Saito
“I was able to use the app to understand the process from arranging a car to getting to my destination, so I was able to ride comfortably. I would also like people to make sure that the vehicle is safe.”