The transport ministry will allow the use of ride-hailing services as a means of transport in times of disasters to supplement taxis that are likely to be in short supply.

Under the envisaged program, district transport bureaus will coordinate the supply of ride-hailing services at the request of local governments and others, provided that the safety of operations is ensured.

Demand for transportation tends to increase during disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, as well as in the recovery and reconstruction process. In such times, those affected by disasters are likely to use taxis to evacuate and nonlife insurers may also use them to conduct on-site surveys of damaged buildings, which would add to ordinary uses such as hospital visits and shopping.

Even if local taxi operators can operate and receive help from taxi businesses in other regions, they may not be able to fully meet such a surge in demand.

The ministry will make ride-hailing services available under such circumstances as long as the safety of transportation in disaster-stricken areas is ensured.

District bureaus will set the period and the number of vehicles to be allowed, based on requests by local governments and others, while operational management and vehicle maintenance will be handled by taxi companies as usual.

The bureaus are also expected to receive requests from nonlife insurance industry groups, which need to swiftly assess the damage caused by disasters, and media and other organizations that need to visit disaster-affected areas urgently.

While ride-hailing services ordinarily use a pricing system that sets fares in advance, they will be allowed to apply a time-based fare for charter in times of disasters.