AI Taxi Sharing Service Launched In Kyoto Prefecture

Illustration of a taxi in Japan. (Wikimedia Commons/Vlchang)

JAKARTA - Kyoto Tango Railway and highway bus operator, Willer Inc., launched an AI (artificial intelligence) taxi-sharing reservation service in designated urban areas around Tantetsu Mineyama Station in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

The inaugural launch of the service was held in front of a commercial facility in the city center some time ago, earning rave reviews from local people who expect this new type of transportation to take root.

To book a shared ride, users enter their pick-up location and destination on the smartphone app, and a five- or nine-seater taxi will arrive in about 10 minutes. The taxi will pick up other passengers along the way, following the most efficient AI calculated route.

Users can choose from a variety of fare plans, such as a flat rate of 5,000 yen per month for unlimited trips, or paying 300 yen per trip.

Willer, headquartered in Osaka, conducted a free trial in March in an area near Mineyama Station using a local taxi operator.

"As the number of trips increases, AI will be better able to choose the optimal route. Users will be able to use shared trips at a reasonable price and without being limited by the number of trips (train or bus) or time schedule," explained Willer Inc., citing Kyodo News Friday. July 30.

At launch, where about 50 people gathered, one of the shared taxis run by Mineyama Taxi picked up a user in his 30s, who works in the city, to his destination.

"We want to contribute to building a city where people can get around comfortably, even if they don't have their own car," said President Willer Shigetaka Murase.

Meanwhile, Kyotango Mayor Yasushi Nakayama said he believed the taxi-sharing service was effective, needed and accepted by the community.

"(It) will be an indispensable tool to help improve public transport from now on as we face an aging and depopulation society," he said.