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arashitranslation
Taxi starting fare becoming 410yen
From 30 January onwards in Area 23 of Tokyo, Musashino City and Mitaka City
the “starting fare” when one rides on a taxi
will be lowered from “730yen for the first 2km”
to “410yen for the first 1.052km”.
The first taxi appeared in Japan in 1921 which was the first year of Taisho era.
At that time, the taxi starting fare was “60 sen” for approximately the first 1.6km.
That was an era which a tendon [rice with tempura] cost 15 sen
the taxi starting fare cost 4 tendons,
that was a luxurious transport at that time.
The taxi starting fare after war was a history of “price raising”.
It was 80yen in 1952,
then 470yen in 1989, first year of Heisei era
recently it has been up to 730yen.
However, thus far the taxi starting fare has been calculated based on “the first 2km”.
This time the calculation is changed to “approximately 1km”. In other words,
the fare is lowered for “short-distance ride for 410 yen”.
In this case, who will benefit from
this Tokyo “410-yen taxi starting fare”?
We actually took a ride to confirm this.
For instance, to take a ride in front of Marunouchi opposite Tokyo Station.
■ Reporter
“I would like to take a ride with the 410-yen taxi starting fare”
■ Driver
“Certainly, sir”
Then, how far could one go with the taxi starting fare?
During the trip, the taxi stopped in front of red traffic light, and rode for 3 or 4 minutes…
■ Driver
“You reach this area with 410 yen”
When the reporter paid 410 yen and got off the taxi the place was…
■ Reporter
“In such nice weather, there are people running”
The place which we could reach with the taxi starting fare was
from Tokyo Station, until place near the moat of Kokyo [Imperial Palace].
The taxi passenger who actually took the ride with the 410-yen taxi starting fare commented.
■ Taxi passenger
“[The frequency of taking taxi] increases.
I think I shall take taxi if the distance is short”
On the other hand, this person commented.
“Unless it’s cheaper [to take taxi]
I think I may not take (taxi)”
We heard many people saying that they want to use this calculation smartly according to distance.
As for the revision of “410-yen taxi starting fare” this time,
actually, not all people enjoy a lowered fare.
If you take a ride for short distance up to approximately 2 km,
the taxi fare for such short-distance ride is “lowered”, while
the taxi fare for 4km which is the average distance for taxi ride in Tokyo is “the same”.
The fare for approximately 6.5km or above will be “increased” on the contrary.
For instance the fare for a ride of 30km will be 520 yen more expensive.
While, the reason of “lowering the fare” for passengers of short-distance ride is that,
there is a strong sense of crisis in the taxi industry.
Passengers using taxi is reducing every year,
in Tokyo during 1989 which was the very bubble economy
there were 420 million taxi passengers per year,
now it is reduced tremendously to around 270 million.
And then, the target of the 410-yen taxi starting fare this time.
First of all, it is to “increase the number of short-distance passengers”.
The elderly who are with difficulty in mobility and,
the young generation who has not taken taxi, as well as the generation who had children
to encourage people of the kind to feel free to take a ride,
the strategy of the fare revision this time is to “reach out new target customers”.
Another target is,
“2020 Tokyo Olympics・Paralympics”.
When comparing the current taxi starting fare between Tokyo and the world…
that for London is around 420yen.
That for New York is around 420yen.
On the other hand, that for Tokyo is 730yen, people who come to Japan for the first time
had such impression that the taxi fare here is expensive.
By making the taxi fare to be 410yen for 1km,
lowering the fare to “world standard”, facing 2020,
it is hoped that overseas tourists will feel free to take more taxi rides
there is such anticipation.
The new trial of “410-yen taxi starting fare”.
It is worthy to note whether there will be more “short-distance ride” passengers.
Source: News Zeroイチメン (http://www.ntv.co.jp/zero/ichimen/2017/01/410.html)