Uber Japan will support Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture for a ride-share service by general drivers with its app. This is the first collaboration with a local government for Uber after the Japanese government decided deregulation of the ride-share rules in December 2023.
Kaga City expects to increase tourists after Hokuriku Shinkansen stops Kaga Onsen Station on March 16 2024 in extending the route from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, but it is difficult for the city to increase taxis or buses because of shortage of licensed drivers. In addition, the tourism industry in the city has been facing financial difficulties since Noto Peninsula earthquake happened.
For a ride-share service, Kaga City has begun recruiting 50 general drivers, who are 21 years olde or older and have held driver licenses for more than 3 years.
On the revised notification related to Last One Mile Mobility issued by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on December 28 2023, fare of a ride-share service revised from about half of taxi fares to about 80% of taxi fares, and cars owned by hotels or ryokans can be provided to a ride-share service operator.
