Japanese authorities hope that a new app will encourage visitors to use taxis more by giving them an easy way to plan a trip and know what it will cost before getting into the cab.
The app will also let travelers who don’t speak Japanese show the driver the destination and the calculated fare. The fare from the app is a cap; if the meter is lower, then the passenger pays the meter price.
Because the fares are based on both time and distance, the GPS-based app is being tested first in Tokyo to see if it meets accuracy and usability standards. Tokyo has also recently lowered its fares for short rides, hoping to increase business.
With Japan’s tourism rising rapidly and the 2020 Olympics ahead, it’s the season for all kinds of experiments and improvements in Japan’s transport systems.
