Taxi Hailing Apps In Japan and South Korea

Above, a Nihon Kotsu taxi in Roppongi, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In this day and age, it seems that there's an app for just about everything. Now there's apps for hailing taxis in Japan.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- Nihon Kotsu, a leading taxi operator in Japan, and South Korean information technology company Kakao will make their ride-hailing apps compatible with each other by the end of the year, a partnership that will benefit foreign tourists in each country. 

South Korean visitors to Japan will be able to use Kakao's KakaoTaxi app to get cabs registered with Nihon Kotsu's ride-hailing app. The pickup point, destination and other data for these travelers will be relayed from one app to the other. The data will flow in reverse when Japanese visitors to South Korea use Nihon Kotsu's app.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Taxi Fare Proposal Draws Mixed Reactions

Above, a taxi outside of Tokyo Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The proposal to lower taxi cab fares in Tokyo is drawing mixed reactions.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

A major Tokyo-based taxi company applied early this month to the transport ministry to reduce its minimum taxi fare to ¥410, aiming to attract passengers even for short distances. Elderly and young people mostly welcome this move, but some taxi drivers were puzzled, saying that even if the number of passengers who use taxis for minimum fare distances rises, it will not increase their income. 

The fare structure that Nihon Kotsu Co. in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward suggested to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry on April 5 would lower the current minimum fare of ¥730 for the first two kilometers to ¥410 for the first 1.059 kilometers. 

It also plans to charge an additional ¥80 per 237 meters after the minimum fare distance. The current charge after the minimum fare distance is ¥90 per 280 meters.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Taxi Company Applies To Lower Fare To ¥410

Above, a Nihon Kotsu taxi in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, I blogged that Tokyo's transport ministry was going to test lower taxi fares of ¥460 starting in July for two months.

Tokyo taxi company Nihon Kotsu Co. is doing one better.

According to an article in News On Japan:

Tokyo-based major taxi operator Nihon Kotsu Co. applied to the transport ministry on Tuesday to revise its minimum taxi fare to 410 yen for about one kilometer from 730 yen for 2 kilometers, hoping to attract demand for close-distance travel. 

The move comes as the Japanese taxi industry is concerned that the planned consumption tax hike from 8 pct to 10 pct in April 2017 could accelerate a fall in taxi use.

To read more, go here.

New App To Call For A Taxi In Tokyo

Above, a Nihon Kotsu taxi in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One just has to love technology.

Now, there's a new app available to call for a taxi cab in Tokyo with smartphones.

According to Jiji Press:

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)--Free messaging application provider Line Corp. said Tuesday it has launched a service that enables users to call taxis in Tokyo's 23 wards plus suburban cities of Mitaka and Musashino through a free smartphone app in collaboration with major taxi company Nihon Kotsu Co.

The new service uses some 3,340 taxis owned by Nihon Kotsu.