TOKYO: Japan’s transport ministry said Wednesday that a new public-private body will be launched within this year in a bid to eliminate areas in the country where buses and taxis are unavailable.

Through the body, the ministry hopes to back cooperation between local governments and transport business operators, in order to secure new means of transportation, including through the expansion of ride-hailing services in which individuals use private vehicles to offer paid rides.

Transport business operators, including taxi and rail service providers, and companies operating ride-hailing apps and car-sharing services will be invited to join the new organization.

The organization will encourage tie-ups between such companies and local governments while promoting pioneering efforts as model cases.

More specifically, the body will aim to create frameworks for joint taxi operations by multiple companies and for smooth taxi dispatch to train stations and nearby.

Other measures being considered include allowing station staff and postal workers to double as drivers for ride-hailing services and using idle vehicles at local companies for such services to address driver and vehicle shortages.

The ministry will also revise the current rules to make it easier to introduce ride-hailing services in areas outside big cities where ride-hailing apps are not widely used. It is thinking of allowing users to book rides by telephone and pay with cash, hoping that elderly residents will find it easy to use such services.

“We aim to introduce (ride-hailing services) in all prefectures within this year,” transport minister Tetsuo Saito told a related ministry meeting Wednesday.

JIJI Press