InsideJapan News Network

A new 'premium quality' taxi rank has opened at the east exit of Tokyo's Shinbashi train station.

Permitting no more than 8,700 high-quality taxi drivers, the new stand offers drivers who have been certified for their compliance with a number of special criteria, including ensuring that no traffic offences have been committed and that no customer complaints have been received.

"All Tokyo taxis are good. [However,] we responded to passengers' wishes to be driven by even higher quality drivers," said a representative from the Tokyo Taxi Centre.

Mieko Hattori, the president of a health food firm in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, added: "It is great to be able to choose a good taxi."

Conducted on an annual basis, the certification allows qualified taxi drivers to display a colour-coded sign to highlight the number of years of confirmed excellent service.

Although some of Tokyo's taxis permit smoking, most have gone smoke-free.




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