Starting July 1, taxi companies in Fukuoka City and nearby municipalities will introduce a “pickup fee” of 200 to 300 yen for passengers requesting a specific pickup location. This is a first for Kyushu, driven by rising fuel costs and a shortage of drivers, along with the increasing use of ride-hailing apps. The fee will apply in Fukuoka City and 14 other municipalities, including Kasuga City and Kasuya Town. By June 27, the Kyushu Transport Bureau had approved the fee for 58 taxi companies, with more approvals expected. Ride-hailing apps like GO and DiDi have become popular in Fukuoka, with some drivers reporting up to 80% of their rides coming from these apps on busy days. The additional fuel costs incurred by pickups were previously borne by the taxi operators. Source: Fukuoka City Taxi Association
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