The reason why the president of a taxi company, which has lost business due to the spread of infection, told me ... 18:08 on May 18th

A taxi company in Osaka, which was forced into bankruptcy due to a new coronavirus. How badly did the spread of infection affect management? Former president Takashi Michino, who has been involved in management for many years, responded to an independent interview with NHK.

Fureai Kotsu, a taxi company in Hirano-ku, Osaka.
With approximately 100 taxis, last year's annual sales amounted to about 550 million yen.

In particular, we have been focusing on the transfer of hospitals and nursing homes in order to maintain close contact with the local community. The entire vehicle was coated in pink, and a “pink taxi” dedicated to female crew members was run, which was well-received by pregnant passengers.

However, on the 13th of this month, he filed for bankruptcy in the court and dismissed 81 employees who handle drivers and office work.
Former President Michino visited the trustee's lawyer on the 18th and explained the information necessary to sell the company's assets in the future.

National support measures "take time"

In an interview, former president Michino apologized that he was incapable of managing the bankruptcy process and made the following statement.

"Originally, taxi companies do not have a strong management base. Due to a shortage of manpower, the operating rate was at best 70%, and the business was tough. The new corona added to the restraint of going out. It was tough to find out. ”

Former President Michino considered using the employment adjustment subsidy, which is a national support measure, to leave the drivers on leave and manage to overcome this crisis.
However, I gave up the application.

"It's be honest because whether time can be .2 months 3 months and out of pocket expenses that must be paid advance the leave allowance is to take .OK the application"

and in tears "still in the other I was full of such thoughts because there was no way to do it. I am also an assailant. In the course of the spread of the new coronavirus, many employees were thrown out. This responsibility is heavy. "

At the end of the interview, we asked, "If there was no outbreak."

(Former President Michino)
"I think it was successful. I think I was able to continue my business."

April sales down 80%

"Fureai Kotsu" was a medium-sized taxi company in Osaka with 100 general taxis. Originally we started from a nursing care taxi business that undertakes transportation for hospitals and nursing facilities, and from 2006, we also entered the general taxi business.

Looking at the growing needs of female crew members from pregnant female passengers, we have been working closely with the local community by running a "pink taxi" exclusively for female crew members who has the entire vehicle coated in pink.

Overcoming the Lehman shock of 2008, the business grew and last year's annual sales amounted to about 550 million yen.

However, recently, due to a serious labor shortage, the operating rate of taxis has fallen and profits have been sluggish. Furthermore, the corona shock has arrived where there is no room to secure sufficient cash on hand. Due to the restraint of going out, sales in March decreased by about 40% compared with the previous year, and in April it decreased by more than 80%.

The company also considered using the government's employment adjustment subsidy to leave the employees on leave and manage to survive the crisis, but due to the complicated procedure for documents and the situation that it takes more than a month to receive funds. I gave up the application.

Former president Takashi Michino judges that it is unlikely that the number of users will increase soon in the big new business district Kitashinchi and Minami, and that he can not inconvenience by further borrowing from creditors, I chose the bankruptcy path.

According to the lawyer of the company agent, the total amount of debt is 130 million yen.