Thorough cancellation measures in the bus industry with new viruses one after another 16:44 on February 19

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, there have been various influences and movements in the industry, such as the cancellation of tour buses for overseas travelers one after another and the use of route bus companies to take thorough measures to prevent infection.

Tour bus for overseas tourists canceled one after another

Bus companies that operate tour buses for international travelers are struggling to cancel successive reservations.

The bus company in Furukawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture, operates tour buses that travel around Tokyo and Osaka for overseas travelers, accounting for one-third of sales.

January and February are usually busy booking tours for Chinese tourists, but all reservations from China have been canceled because the Chinese government banned group travel overseas at the end of last month.

In addition, tour reservations from Thailand and Taiwan have been canceled one after another, worried about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

It means that almost 30 chartered buses are not operating at the moment and the sales are affected by nearly 20 million yen.

Bus companies are obliging drivers to wear masks and deploying disinfectants in vehicles to ensure thorough infection prevention measures.However, reservations for Japanese people have begun to be canceled, and reservations for spring excursions and school trips will increase in the future. I'm worried about what will happen.

Bus company president Yukio Tanasu said, "I am afraid of the coronavirus infection, so I am willing to stop traveling. "

Route bus companies also disinfect cars and check the temperature of crew members

Bus companies in Tochigi Prefecture are strengthening measures such as thorough disinfection of vehicles.

"Kanto Motor", which operates a route bus in Tochigi Prefecture, uses the waiting time of the bus vehicles to disinfect the handrails, straps, and the button that informs you of getting off using alcohol spray.

Disinfection is carried out at least once a day for route bus vehicles and once every day for highway buses that connect to major cities and airports. In highway buses, alcohol spray is placed inside the car for passengers. Is calling.

In addition, the crew checks daily for fever before and after the crew, wearing masks and washing their hands thoroughly.

Reiichi Ishihara, Managing Executive Officer of Kanto Automobile, said, "I would like to thoroughly disinfect because it is used by an unspecified number of people. Please, please. "

Voices of anxiety from users

As the infection spread, bus users heard anxiety in front of JR Utsunomiya Station.

A man who was waiting for a bus on a business trip from Tokyo said, "I'm worried that I often go out and use a lot of public transportation. I try to disinfect my hands as much as possible."

Also, a woman waiting for another bus said, "I try to avoid handrails, wash my hands, and cough etiquette."