Comments on: Tokyo Taxi Drivers get “Ranked”

By: kokove

kokove — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:33:48 +0000

Hi,

Your topic is related to my project.
Would it be possible tp provide me the information about Tokyo taxi regulation, or let me know how could I find that information?

Thank you

kokove

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:13:44 +0000

The first solution that came to mind was money. However, rewarding good cabbies with money just seemed like cheating and un-japanese. But if the ultimate goal is to increase the number of 3 star cab drivers, perhaps the government could give tax breaks or some sort of discount to 3 star drivers. Otherwise, non-star drivers would simply have no incentive to provide better service. Sadly, money still makes the world go round.

By: Freddie Frickin' Flintstone

Freddie Frickin' Flintstone — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:03:08 +0000

I’d absolutely vouch for MK Taxi. They’re not just in Kansai; they’re in Kanto too (http://www.tokyomk.com/). Sofa is right; you can’t flag them down because they are geared towards reservations only. However I can tell you the politeness and professionalism is have experienced with them has been without parallel. I use taxis a lot to get me from home to Shibuya or Shinagawa to catch the NEX in the wee hours. Since switching to MK, I have never looked back. Two times out of 3, they provided a huge Toyota Estima Hybrid - the one other time was a Toyota Crown, but still not your bog standard model used by all the other firms. The driver always got out, helped me with my bags (although I travel light) and asked me which route I preferred. They didn’t talk unless being talked to, or unless they had something to ask me related to the journey. This is how it always should be. And on top of that, they still apply the old 660 yen base charge and their late-night surcharge (深夜割増) is still at the old rate of 10%.

By: hills-zoku

hills-zoku — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:03:39 +0000

so what do you have to be to become a three star taxi driver anyway?

By: Ao

Ao — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:07:39 +0000

In Shanghai they have a small fleet of BMW taxis. They are quite popular since they cost the same as the other taxis. Too bad there aren’t any more.

I think Japan’s yufuku-so could support a luxury taxi company. Any entrepreneurs out there?

By: Sofa

Sofa — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:17:55 +0000

MK taxis in Kansai are by far the best in terms of service, although you’ll rarely be able to flag one down, basically always have to call and reserve one. They are cheaper, the drivers are younger and more polite and all cars are non-smoking. They have a great shuttle service to the airport as well.

So if you know in advance that you’ll need a cab, try MK and book the time & place. You won’t be dissatisfied.

By: etag

etag — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:05:25 +0000

At the end of a long day if it’s a choice between queing up to try and board a Master cab that there are only 10% of in Tokyo or just getting in any cab so I can make it to my destination regardless of the quality of the drive I think I would choose to just jump in any cab.
Is there going to be any other differences? Are Master cabs and punch-perm cabs priced differently?

I’ve had my share of good and bad taxi rides in Japan and all over the world. Though to be fair to the drivers I’ve probably been a drunken prick to drivers on more than one occasion myself.

By: qklilx

qklilx — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:20:46 +0000

I’ve never been to Japan, but it sounds like the taxi drivers there are a source of a lot of customer dissatisfaction. I plan to visit the country this May, so perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to take one of these master taxis. I love that title.

I have, however, taken many a taxi in Korea, and I can say that, while they are by no means a master taxi, they are far from being anything like the things you listed at the end of the post. They are typically polite and never rush (except in arriving at your destination, lol), even though I was a foreigner. And if you want to converse, you’re totally welcome to bring up a topic if they don’t. I once had a driver lecturing me on global politics! I don’t understand enough Korean to catch more than a few words of that kind of stuff!

By: sorrydaijin

sorrydaijin — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:41:59 +0000

I actually love Japanese cabs… most of the time. Occasionally you get that driver that has earned the prestigious brown star surrounded by flanked by pock-marked butt-cheeks, signifying his (her?) true identity as an utter a–hole. Thankfully, I am too drunk to care most times I use a cab.

By: marvin

marvin — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:29:45 +0000

Wow. Blue woke up on the wrong side of the taxi stand today! bada boom.

My personal gripe is of those jerky drivers who go hell for leather from red light to red light, whipping you back in your seat then slamming the brakes on. A colleague of mine, actually me too, always feels nautious at the end of a journey we regularly share.

Stick to those big white kojin cabs. Best by far.