Price hike eyed for Tokyo taxis

Taxis in Tokyo’s 23 wards and its cities will increase their fares by around 10%, partly to raise income for taxi drivers.

The transportation ministry submitted plans to a consumers’ committee under the Cabinet Office meeting on Wednesday to increase overall revenue by an estimated 10.14%. One revision will shorten the distance that passengers can travel with the ¥500 ($3.15) base fare, so what used to be 1.096 kilometers will go down to 1 km.

The additional fare on Tokyo taxis is currently ¥100 for every 255 meters thereafter, but this will also be shortened to 232 m. When a taxi is going at a speed lower than 10 km per hour — while in heavy traffic, for example — ¥100 will be automatically charged every 85 seconds, down from the current 95 seconds.