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2016 January 13 - 19 TOP3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Low-priced bus tours tend to have lax maintenance of vehicles

The tragic crash of a ski tour bus in Nagano is causing another controversy over the fact that a bus operating company had contracted for the transport of skiers at a price of 190,000 yen which was far below the government-set standard of 270,000 yen.

The transport ministry’s investigation of the bus operator found that the company has been accepting orders at a price lower than the official minimum floor price established as a reflection of travelling hours and distance in order to ensure safe operations.

“If not paid properly, I have to make up for the loss with cuts in the bus maintenance costs. I sometimes have no option but to replace parts by myself because I cannot outsource the maintenance of buses,” revealed an owner of a small Chiba-based bus company.

The ministry’s special inspection also found out about the existence of another travel bureau standing between the bus operator and the travel agency which organized the ski tour.

The abovementioned owner explained that intermediaries in the bus industry specialize in arranging transportation. He said, “For small bus operators, it’s never easy to obtain contracts. So, we expect help from these go-betweens to secure our contracts.”

According to the owner, many small bus operators tell their drivers only the departing and arriving points and times. He also said that routes and breaks are basically up to drivers’ judgement.

“Major bus operators have operation managers available 24 hours a day but it’s not possible for tiny companies to maintain an employee overnight,” said the owner.