YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — After an absence of almost 10 years, taxis are returning to Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Starting Feb. 1, an on-base taxi service will begin operation on Yokota, said Stephen Zak, a 374th Services Division representative.

The fleet of five Toyota Corollas will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Fares will be paid in U.S. dollars, with the fare starting at $4.30 and increasing by 90 cents per 550 meters traveled.

Zak added that more taxis could be added if the business becomes successful and customer demand requires expansion.

The free base shuttle, the Kanto Express, also will remain in service, a Yokota spokesman said.

Cab stands will be set up in areas where demand for taxi service is high, including the Kanto Lodge, Yokota Community Center, passenger terminal, Temporary Lodging Facility on the base’s east side and the parking lot at dorm 421 near Fussa gate, said Zak, adding that you can call 227-TAXI(8294) to be picked up curbside.

Plans also are in the works, he said, for the taxi service to team with an off-base company so customers will be able to get a ride to the gate and have a taxi waiting to take them off base.

DODSCO, the company offering the new service, has been been providing base taxi services to Yokosuka Naval Base for about a year, Zak said.