The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has announced that, beginning Jan 30, 2017, the starting fare of all taxis in Tokyo will be 430 yen from the current 730 yen in an effort to provide an easier and more comfortable way for people to get around the city.
The ministry tested the cheaper starting fare during the summer. Forty taxis from 23 taxi companies took part in the test which involved taxis waiting outside Shimbashi, Asakusa and Shinjuku stations, as well as the University of Tokyo Hospital, Fuji TV reported.
Based on the results of the test, the ministry decided to implement the new starting fare for all taxis in Tokyo's 23 wards as well as the cities of Musashino and Mitaka.
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, compared to the current 90 yen for 280 meters. Currently, the 730 starting fare lasts for two kilometers.
© Japan Today
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some14some
People good at maths will not find it cheaper.
Tatsuwashi
This is a scam to actually raise prices:
OLD PRICES: 1 km = 730 yen 2 km = 730 yen 3 km = 1052 yen
NEW PRICES: 1 km = 430 yen 2 km = 768 yen 3 km = 1106 yen
Only journeys under about 1.5 km would see any savings. This is just a bait and switch to get suckers into the taxis thinking the prices have gone down.
Oh well, in 10 years the prices should actually go down when all of the taxis become driverless and the drivers are not part of the cost equation anymore.
Mirai Hayashi
So if you travel anything more than 2km, the fare could be more expensive..
theeastisred
It will encourage very short taxi journeys, which the drivers won't be that happy about, but overall taxi revenue should rise so they should be happy. Other than for short journeys (where you would otherwise walk, since if there were a bus you would already be taking it), it won't make much difference. But still, why not? I think this is a good move.
wontond
The new fare system might be worth it if you don't want to walk from the train station to your final destination, like when it's raining. That's about the only time I use a cab in Tokyo.
Peter Qinghai
@Disillusioned,
What is a major byproduct of burning NG/LPG?
CO_2, a 'greenhouse' gas. Is all that burnt fuel while idling contributing to the economy in a positive way?
How does 'wasting' this fuel contribute to the economy?
Peter Qinghai
One must realize that taxis predominately sit with their engines idling whilst waiting for the next fare, which could be a long time.
All of the wasted fuel contributes to global 'climate change'.
So, considering the above, it seems this is a sure money loser all around.
nath
Wonder if this will mean more or fewer available taxis?
More short riders, but then they get out.
So after that the taxi has to circle back to the origination point, or cruise around looking for another short rider.
Does not seem so practical, but I guess this is a response to Uber?
Laguna
wtfjapan - you're probably right, but, given the average age of a taxi driver, in ten years, they'll all be dead.
Wakarimasen
Will be more expensive for any substantial journey. also 730 flag fare was not comparable with other countries. Singapore is about 250 yen average. Hk same. London and new your about 500 yen average.......
Silvafan
@michaelqtodd
Uber hasn't left. They changed to food delivery. Unfortunately, they will be beat out by the other food delivery services already available.
This taxis service is actually raising prices. It just appears cheaper to the unsuspecting consumer. I wonder how long it will be before we see disputes in the news between drivers and customers.
Yubaru
Thought the same thing when self-service gas stations came here, no such luck, prices are generally the same, as will taxis as well. Aint no way the companies are going to give up a chance to get more profits.,
MavisToday
That's all for tokyo olympic.
MsDelicious
Please explain.
powderb
It will encourage me to take short distance rides to local restaurants and bars when I might not have been in the mood to walk. Why not?
michaelqtodd
Not a response to Uber they left Japan a while ago
wtfjapan
just more number games, self driving taxis are coming and the taxi industry knows it, there just shiteing bricks that they know their jobs will be automated just as many factory workers have been. within 10yrs self driving taxis will be safer cheaper and probably more reliable than any human driver could be.
Nessie
More of a loss leader than a bait and switch.
As for Uber, this taxi plan is an attempt to head off any further such incursions.
TravelingSales
Why are bureaucrats involved in setting prices? It's like letting fish design bicycles.
bjohnson23
Re: Oh well, in 10 years the prices should actually go down when all of the taxis become driverless and the drivers are not part of the cost equation anymore.
No it won't because it will cost more to buy the driver less taxi due to technology required to maintain it.
RE: Thought the same thing when self-service gas stations came here, no such luck, prices are generally the same, as will taxis as well. Aint no way the companies are going to give up a chance to get more profits.,
Good point, I have yet to see where the savings are. It cost more in time for me to pump the gas vs taking it and having someone do it and clean the windows etc...Japan should do away with the self service as it didn't work like in other countries; bottom line..no savings..
wtfjapan
No it won't because it will cost more to buy the driver less taxi due to technology required to maintain it. actually your only looking at the short term. self driving taxis may be more expensive in the short term , but in the long term theyll be cheaper in fuel as they will always have one less passenger to lug around, and the insurance premiums will be cheaper as accident rates will be less than human drivers, then youve got human wages etc. Yes driverless taxis will be cheaper in the long term most definately, it just all depends if the companies using them will pass on the savings to the consumer.
Goodlucktoyou
So in other words, the public transport system can't cope.
Disillusioned
But, once again, you miss the point. Young drivers drive because they want to, but the elderly drive because they have to.
kurisupisu
It's off the point to mention younger drivers when the article is about taxi fares.....
Strangerland
Ignoring the fact that I find whatever logic you used to come to that conclusion baffling, what's your point?
Aly Rustom
That doesn't really help many people who only use trains and buses. How about an effort to provide an easier and more comfortable way for people to use trains and buses by A. making them cheaper, B. making them more frequent, and C. making them more available in rural areas? I would imagine that buses and trains are more frequently used for transport than taxis. It would help to make them cheaper and more frequent instead of taxis. Plus they are also better for the environment..
Strangerland
Shouldn't we then also do the same for younger drivers? They have a much higher accident rate than elderly drivers.
Disillusioned
Except for the fact that most taxis run on LPG, of course.
The ¥730 flag fare is ok and comparable with other countries. However, I think they should do away with the flag fare for the over 70's and the government should cough up the difference. It would reduce the amount of elderly drivers causing accidents and also give those who have been ripped off by the pension system a chance to get out the house.