In Tokyo, midwives are advising on a pregnancy service from a cab company. Similar to KM Taxi's maternity taxi services, Furusato Kotsu is providing the Sankyu service for prenatal and birth-related hospital trips for women in the north Tokyo Iwate Prefecture.
The pregnancy service (or Sankyu) comes from the combined Japanese words for assistance and childbirth. Drivers offering this are trained by midwives on different ways to make the ride more comfortable for pregnant passengers. Cars are also equipped with packs containing things like waterproof sheets and towels, in the event labor commences en route.
Specialized taxi services for pregnant women are becoming popular in Japan, especially as city officials note the cost saved from freeing up ambulances. This is also an example of how city services can be adapted to be made more accessible.
Childbirth-Assisting Taxis
Cab Company Furusato Kotsu's Pregnancy Service Includes Midwife Input
Trend Themes
1. Specialized Taxi Services - The rise of specialized taxi services for specific demographics, such as pregnant women, presents an opportunity for cab companies to tap into niche markets and provide unique experiences.
2. Collaboration Between Industries - The collaboration between taxi companies and midwives demonstrates how different industries can come together to create innovative solutions and improve the overall customer experience.
3. Adaptation of City Services - The adaptation of city services, like taxi services, to cater to specific needs showcases the potential for disruptive innovation and the ability to make existing services more accessible and inclusive.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - The specialized taxi services for pregnant women highlight the transportation industry's potential to expand its offerings by catering to specific customer needs.
2. Healthcare - The collaboration between taxi companies and midwives opens up opportunities for the healthcare industry to extend its reach beyond hospital premises and provide support to patients in transit.
3. City Services - The adaptation of taxi services to accommodate pregnant women's needs showcases how city services can be agile and responsive to the evolving demands of its residents.