Taxi companies in Japan have begun offering restaurant delivery services amid the coronavirus outbreak. The companies hope this opportunity will help overcome the difficulties the industry is currently facing, having been hit hard by a decline in customers due to the government's stay-at-home request.
Ordinarily, permission from The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry is necessary for the operation of food delivery services, but the ministry has allowed such services to be carried out by taxis during the period from April 21 to May 13, as a special provision under the Road Transportation Law.
Fukuoka Nishitetsu Taxi, a company located in the city of Fukuoka, started its delivery service with cooperation from the local Wolfgang's Steakhouse Fukuoka restaurant on May 2. Taxi drivers deliver food within a 30-minute area from the restaurant to areas including Hakata and Chuo wards. In addition to the cost of the food, a delivery fee of 2,090 yen including tax, is charged.
Fukuoka Nishitetsu Taxi, having reduced its number of employees by 40%, continues to face severe business conditions. "We would like to make effort to meet social needs," an official of the taxi company said.
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