16:21 JST, March 24, 2024
A ban on ride-sharing companies, by which individuals use their private automobiles to supply paid rides, might be partially lifted in April. Such companies must be checked fastidiously to see if they will play a complementary function to taxis whereas guaranteeing security.
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has introduced that ride-sharing companies might be allowed from April in some areas of Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Aichi and Kyoto for restricted days and occasions. The ministry intends to later add Osaka and Fukuoka prefectures and Sapporo to the listing of such areas.
Late final yr, the federal government determined to permit the addition of ride-sharing companies to taxi firm’s operations, at sure occasions in particular areas the place there’s a scarcity of taxis. The areas the place ride-sharing companies are wanted have been recognized based mostly on knowledge from taxi-hailing apps.
Within the passenger transportation enterprise, the protection of passengers is crucial facet. If a enterprise is operated freely by drivers who do not need the Class 2 driver’s license that’s required for taxi drivers, security can’t be ensured, and the place accountability lies could change into ambiguous.
It seems to be acceptable to launch ride-sharing companies in a restricted method below the operation of taxi corporations.
Trip-sharing companies have been broadly utilized in nations and areas reminiscent of the USA, China and Southeast Asia. As Japan has seen a scarcity of taxis on account of a lower within the variety of drivers, ride-sharing companies have raised hopes as a way to unravel this drawback.
Nevertheless, there have been many incidents of sexual assault, theft and different crimes involving ride-sharing companies in different nations. In some reported instances, drivers have been victimized.
It is very important make the companies appropriate for Japan by assessing the benefits and drawbacks by a trial operation, and never introduce them just because experience sharing is broadly accessible abroad.
Underneath the brand new system, taxi corporations might be accountable for managing the work of ride-sharing drivers and supervising their driving abilities, amongst different issues. The businesses can even be required to have voluntary insurance coverage protection of no less than ¥80 million for bodily damage legal responsibility and ¥2 million or extra for property injury in case of an accident.
Drivers will seemingly be required to signal an employment contract with a taxi firm on the situation that they haven’t any accidents previously two years.
Individuals are anticipated to work as ride-sharing drivers as a facet job. It’s hoped that the federal government will completely oversee taxi corporations to make sure the protection of customers of the companies.
The federal government plans to coordinate concepts in June in regards to the full lifting of the ban in methods like these seen abroad. It should talk about the matter fastidiously and keep away from taking hasty motion.
As a plunge in demand for taxis pressured extra drivers to give up their job amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the variety of taxi drivers reportedly fell by about 20% as of late March 2023 from 2019 ranges.
It is going to even be important for taxi corporations to make efforts to safe drivers by elevating wages and creating a snug work atmosphere.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2024)
