A stand for eco-friendly electric and hybrid taxis opened Monday at JR Osaka Station. The facility is said to be the first stand for low-emissions cabs to serve a train station. Lack of publicity left it empty of customers when it began operating at 7 a.m. Only three groups opted to ride electric taxis from the stand that morning. The Eco-friendly’ taxi stand is set up on the second floor of the North Gate Building at the station, which was just remodeled.
There are no signs leading to the new taxi stand yet. The Eco-friendly’ taxi stand is open from 7 a.m. to 1:20 a.m. the following morning. A battery charger for EVs is to set to be installed in mid-June. Up to 40 vehicles can wait at the stand, which is reserved for only 70 designated taxis.