In response to rising living costs, the Kyushu Transport Bureau has announced an increase in the starting fare for taxis in the Fukuoka metropolitan area. Effective from August 1, the maximum initial fare will be raised from the current 750 yen to 830 yen. The revised fare will apply in cities including Fukuoka, Kasuga, Onojo, Chikushino, Dazaifu, Koga, Itoshima, Nakagawa, and the Kasuya District.
In more detail, for regular taxis, the maximum base fare will increase to 830 yen, with the added fare, depending on distance, increasing from 60 yen per 221 meters to 80 yen per 268 meters. In contrast, for short-distance trips, the initial fare will rise from 570 yen to 670 yen. This is the first fare adjustment in two and a half years.
The fare increase was initiated by 89 taxi operators in the region, who applied for the fare hike in a bid to improve driver wages and alleviate the driver shortage. It is anticipated that many operators will implement the new prices starting in August. The Kyushu Transport Bureau estimates that the fare revision will boost taxi operators’ fare income by over 10%, with the spotlight on whether the increase will indeed lead to improved benefits such as wage hikes for drivers. Source: NHK
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