business

Tokyo begins taxi service trial with starting fares of 410 yen

24 Comments

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Friday started conducting a field test by lowering the starting fare of some taxis in Tokyo to 410 yen from the current 730 yen in an effort to provide an easier and more comfortable way for people to use taxis.

The test will be conducted until Sept 15. Forty taxis from 23 taxi companies are taking part in the test starting at Shimbashi, Asakusa and Shinjuku stations, as well as the University of Tokyo Hospital, Fuji TV reported.

The new starting fare covers the first 1.059 kilometers. After that, the fare will go up by 80 yen for every increment of 237 meters.

By lowering the starting fare of cabs by nearly 40%, the ministry wants to find out whether more people would be willing to use taxis if the option of a short distance fare was available. These taxis are expected to be popular in front of train stations, office districts, hospitals and big shopping malls.

The ministry said that if results are positive, a new fare structure will be applied to all taxis in December.

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24 Comments
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I'm In.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It would be even better if the drivers knew where they are supposed to be going....

3 ( +6 / -3 )

So if it's some taxis and not others, how do you choose? And would anyone choose to pay the initial Y730 if it was avoidable?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Why not 400 yen? So if I have a 500en-dama I have to receive 5 or 9 coins in return for the shortest fare? Same as the scheme to increase one-coin fares to 510 on certain reserved-seat train fares to cover Abe's disastrous consumption tax hike. Is anybody using their brain around here?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Where would we be without central planners deciding the prices of services for us free people?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Great idea! This would actually save heaps of money and definitely encourage more taxi use for short trips. Although it's disappointing the "private" taxi companies can't lower their fares naturally through competition

1 ( +3 / -2 )

After that, the fare will go up by 80 yen for every increment of 237 meters.

What was the rate before for 237 meters? Or was it always 237 meters? Hmm... doesn't sound like such a great deal. And why 237? Couldn't it just be an even 300? Strange numbers....

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Meanwhile, the rest of the world zooms ahead with ride-sharing services.

@shiboritate

Why not 400 yen? So if I have a 500en-dama I have to receive 5 or 9 coins in return for the shortest fare? Same as the scheme to increase one-coin fares to 510 on certain reserved-seat train fares to cover Abe's disastrous consumption tax hike.

Because your propsal is far too straightforward & logical for an Old Boys' industry like the taxi business.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

and then I remember when I first came to Japan (a couple of "centuries" ago) the taxi fare was either 90 or 100 yen... (and the "kojin" taxi drivers were so nice !)

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Chalk up one for righteous deflation, and another blow to Abe's misguided attempts to inflate prices.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Taxis in Japan are loudicrously expensive for the modest service they provide: hardly know where you have to go, take longer detours, hardly speak any foreign language, when they drive they are a danger to any other user of the street. And they even dare getting pissed for Uber-like services. Most of them deserve bankrupcy in my opinion. Basic fare should be 300 yen, with increments according to concentric zones centered on the starting point. A ride from the airport to the center, 5000yen/person, no more. End of the story.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

My only comment is ... 237 meters passes by quickly ..... I would want to jump out of the taxi after two or three new clicks .... Does anyone know what the price of a taxi is in Thailand? I remember taking taxis or tuk tuks years ago. I also am amazed at the strange numbers ... nothing is ever rounded off.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

hardly speak any foreign language

It could be worse. Taxi's in America only speak foreign languages.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The new rate will be great for shorter distances but will be more expensive for longer distances so overall not a great deal considering taxi drivers frown when the distance is short. Imagine, taxis have to queue for a long time to pick passengers and the passengers happens to be getting off at a distance that is not up to 1,000yen, the taxi driver will curse the passenger. This new setup is not feasible at all and I don't see being implemented because an increase in passengers will not translate to an increase in revenues.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It was not so long ago that all taxis had a ¥410 flag fare. They jumped to ¥600 and then to the ¥720 they are now. However, I'm a little confused about who is losing money over this. Or, will the money be compensated by higher kilometre charges. I can't see how they can just cut flag fairs by 40% and not lose money. Somebody must be paying for it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If I tell the driver to let me out at 1.059 kilometers, I wonder whether his meter has that kind of accuracy?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a great way to keep Uber and Lyft out of Japan.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

With 410 yen for the first 1059 nd 80 yen for each additional 237 meters; it sounds like Japan is using some weird measurement system and the numbers come from converting it to metric.

But they don't, so this makes no sense whatsoever.

Why not simply 400 yen for the first 1000 meters and 100 yen for each additional 300 meters?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@lucksi - good idea! @fadamor - actually, if you do so upfront, you can always negotiate the total fare. E.g. can you take me to point x for 710? Likewise, you could say I am only paying a single fare, take me to the closest of my destination or as far as you will go with a single fare. And don't forget to collect your 90 yen!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Taxi's in America only speak foreign languages." New York is NOT America. It is a tiny Island less than .00001% of the country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bring on Uber!! I have both ridden and driven for Uber in the US and it is a game changer.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What does this have to do with "comfort"?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

there just pooing bricks, they know that Uber and Lyft and even self-driving taxis are eventually coming. It a case of too little too late for this dying geriatric industry. but hey competition is good, you never would have seen this price drop without it

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wont change the fact that 90% of them dont know where they are going and drive like they own the roads stopping in the middle of the road etc, we stopped using them years ago.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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