Uber Japan on Tuesday announced that it has signed an agreement with Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, to begin a ridesharing service, improving mobility in the region for locals and tourists alike.
Kaga City ridesharing is operated by the Sightseeing in Kaga-shi Interchange Mechanism, with Uber providing the app and taxi company, Kaga Daiichi Kotsu, managing operations. The launch follows new regulations in December 2023 allowing for a form of ridesharing. It is Uber's first provision of "Communal Rideshare" in collaboration with a municipality or NPO.
On March 16, the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kaga Onsen Station, will enable access to Kaga from Osaka in 2 hours and 6 minutes and from Tokyo in 2 hours and 43 minutes. As a result, an increase in local and foreign tourists is expected.
Kaga Onsen is a prime destination for local and foreign tourists, close to the ocean and the dramatic Hakusan Mountain Range. It is home to hot spring resort towns, rustic mountain villages, and is a place where traditional Japanese crafts continue to thrive. Kaga Onsen has one of the largest hot spring resorts in the Hokuriku region. However, due to a serious shortage of drivers in the bus and taxi industry, providing sufficient transportation services has been difficult.
© Japan Today
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Ricky Kaminski13
Wow, was hoping Uber would get an in somewhere. Especially as the taxi industry is struggling to find new drivers. Makes so much sense to do this just in time for the new Shinkansen and the expected influx of visitors to this small but quaint little city. Well done Kaga! Smart decision.
GillislowTier
The whole point of Uber is to get around taxi services. Of course only Japan would make Uber official by forcing it to partner with the very thing it’s mean to prevent
jforce
Uber will be priced as high as taxis, so as not to take business away from the dinosaurs.
borscht
Does the Hokuriku Shinkansen go to Kaga from Osaka?
Ricky Kaminski13
No Borscht this latest stage of the new route comes down into Fukui city then to the southern port city of Tsuruga. Big ceremonies this weekend the 16th. Lots of fanfare and expectations here in Fukui city. Welcome!