Are there any more affordable alternatives to individual taxi fares for daily trips to/from the same location, e.g. by booking multiple trips in advance or by using a different transportation service that offers door-to-door pickup and drop-off? Uber seems more expensive rather than less. The location is central Tokyo.
A friend is currently visiting from abroad for work but cannot use public transport due to a disability. The taxi ride from his accommodation to the office is around 2000 yen one way and he will be commuting three to five days a week for around 2 months.
Any ideas?
9 comments
I’ve seen the taxi app Go advertising corporate accounts, but I’ve no idea if they are cheaper or not.
Edit : do not apply to Uber Japan
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If I am not mistaking, Uber use freelance driver. Thus these people have to wait for someone to reach Uber then be able to fetch that course. I do not know the specific of the contract but imagining you happened to be in touch with a independant driver working for Uber, they could be interested in a fixed course and willing to give a discount since there are no in between.
(I do not live in Tokyo, neither have Uber driver as acquaintance, just know someone which actually do something like that in another country).
Edit : albe -> able
A lot of taxi companies have discounts for disabled customers, but it’s only like 10%, and your colleague would need a 障害者手帳.
Rent a car? Have a friend with a car take him? Pay a friend with a car who has lots of time take him? Or maybe make an offer on a local Facebook group?
Maybe there is someone with a car closeby who works remotely who wouldn’t mind taking him for extra cash?
Does his work not arrange or pay for transportation? If he’s here for work
I don’t want to make light of someone’s disability, but the public transportation system is extremely accommodating. The staff will generally make whatever adjustments are necessary to assist. Talk to some station staff and they may be able to suggest how to overcome the issue.
It would seem that the most logical thing would be for your friend to book a hotel very close to where they will be working. Close enough that they don’t need a taxi or public transport.
If that is not possible then as close as possible, using a single train/subway line with no transfers. The support for disabled people on trains is excellent.
I don’t mean this condescendingly in any way but I need to ask what disability does your friend have that can’t be accommodated by public transport, especially an area like central Tokyo? I’ve seen blind people, wheel chair bound people, all sorts of disabilities being able to use trains and subways fine.
Stations and attendants are usually very accommodating to the disabled.
And like others have mentioned, does his job not provide transportation allowances, especially if they know of his condition?
Is it mental disability – like panic attacks or anxiety in public transport? If so, and he can ride a bicycle, then there a bunch of electric bike share apps.