'Midnight Shuttle Shibuya/Mitaka' Demonstration Report Released: Shared Taxis Improve Passengers Per Ride by 40% and Create Late-Night Demand
NearMe Inc. released a report on the 'Midnight Shuttle' shared taxi demonstration. Using real-time matching, the system improved the average number of passengers per taxi ride by about 40% and successfully stimulated new late-night travel demand.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 06:19 (448h 18m after Collected)
NearMe Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichiro Takahara; hereinafter 'NearMe'), a social design company tackling societal issues related to mobility, has operated the 'Midnight Shuttle Shibuya' and 'Midnight Shuttle Mitaka'. This utilized a 'real-time ride-share matching system' developed under contract for 'COMmmmONS', a regional transportation DX promotion project implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
In this operation, the effectiveness of real-time ride-share matching was verified to resolve the supply-demand mismatch of taxis late at night and improve travel convenience. We are pleased to announce the publication of a report summarizing the demonstration results. Details of the report can be viewed on the 'COMmmmONS' website (https://www.mlit.go.jp/commmmons/tech_report/?page=2).
*This report was prepared by NearMe under a commission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Demonstration Results (Survey Results)
In this demonstration, the introduction of the real-time ride-share matching system confirmed positive effects in user value, public value, and business value, including improved transportation efficiency and the creation of new taxi demand.
Passengers per taxi ride improved by about 40%
According to operation data during the demonstration period, the number of passengers per taxi ride was 1.7 (1.8 in Mitaka, 1.6 in Shibuya). Compared to the average of 1.3 passengers* for taxis in the Mitaka/Shibuya area, this represents an improvement of approximately 40% in Mitaka operations. These results show that there is demand for 'shared rides' among users with nearby destinations, and that real-time ride-share matching functions as a receptacle for late-night travel demand.
*NearMe survey: Based on the average number of passengers in March 2021 (Tokyo 23 wards / Musashino City / Mitaka City area)
■ About 80% overall, and 90% in Shibuya, answered 'I used a taxi late at night because of the Midnight Shuttle'
Approximately 82% of all users responded that they 'used a taxi late at night because this service was available.' In the Shibuya area, which operates primarily around stations and downtown areas where nighttime demand is concentrated, this reached 93%, indicating the possibility that this initiative has led to the creation of new taxi demand.
In this operation, the effectiveness of real-time ride-share matching was verified to resolve the supply-demand mismatch of taxis late at night and improve travel convenience. We are pleased to announce the publication of a report summarizing the demonstration results. Details of the report can be viewed on the 'COMmmmONS' website (https://www.mlit.go.jp/commmmons/tech_report/?page=2).
*This report was prepared by NearMe under a commission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Demonstration Results (Survey Results)
In this demonstration, the introduction of the real-time ride-share matching system confirmed positive effects in user value, public value, and business value, including improved transportation efficiency and the creation of new taxi demand.
Passengers per taxi ride improved by about 40%
According to operation data during the demonstration period, the number of passengers per taxi ride was 1.7 (1.8 in Mitaka, 1.6 in Shibuya). Compared to the average of 1.3 passengers* for taxis in the Mitaka/Shibuya area, this represents an improvement of approximately 40% in Mitaka operations. These results show that there is demand for 'shared rides' among users with nearby destinations, and that real-time ride-share matching functions as a receptacle for late-night travel demand.
*NearMe survey: Based on the average number of passengers in March 2021 (Tokyo 23 wards / Musashino City / Mitaka City area)
■ About 80% overall, and 90% in Shibuya, answered 'I used a taxi late at night because of the Midnight Shuttle'
Approximately 82% of all users responded that they 'used a taxi late at night because this service was available.' In the Shibuya area, which operates primarily around stations and downtown areas where nighttime demand is concentrated, this reached 93%, indicating the possibility that this initiative has led to the creation of new taxi demand.