Japan ends Uber trial
TOKYO: Japan has slammed the brakes on a pilot project by taxi service Uber less than a month after it was launched, with a government official saying yesterday that it probably violates transport laws.
The development marked another blow for the web-based taxi app, which has incurred the hostility of traditional taxi companies in many countries.
“Last Friday we met with Uber Japan officials and told them to stop the pilot project immediately because we suspect it breaches Japanese transport law,” a transport ministry official told AFP.
“There are two major problems with their project. First, it could be considered an unlicensed taxi business if they use regular [non-professional] drivers, and second, there are safety concerns including a lack of insurance.”
Uber said it would continue to talk with officials and said the service would be a plus for urban transport in rapidly ageing Japan.
“We saw this as a unique opportunity to help find a solution and fulfil an important need in Japan’s future,” it said.
“In the month since its launch, we have received high volumes of positive feedback from participating riders and drivers in the programme. We will continue our ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities to clearly communicate programme details and address any concerns.”
Last month the San-Francisco-based firm, which lets non-professional drivers become chauffeurs-for-hire at rates far lower than normal taxi rides, launched its “Everyone’s Uber” service in the western city of Fukuoka.
Users who needed a ride could pin their location and request a driver through the app downloaded to a smartphone or tablet.
Uber is already active as a paid-for taxi service in Tokyo, tying up with professional taxi drivers in a service that will continue.
But during the data-gathering pilot project, non-professional drivers who registered with the company would give passengers a ride.
Since its founding in 2009, Uber has grown into one of the world’s largest startups, valued at some US$40 billion.