It has been five years since the bus accident in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture, which killed 15 people including university students, in 15 days.
It was found that the operation at a fare below the law, which was a problem in the accident, was gradually improving due to the strengthening of audits by the government, but it has been worsening again due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
In a ski tour bus accident that killed 15 people including university students in Karuizawa Town on January 15, 2016, many violations were found, such as the bus company that undertook the tour operating at a fare below the law, and safety was ensured. The business operation that was neglected became clear.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is strengthening audits of bus companies, saying that the fare may have been lower than the law.
According to a questionnaire survey conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on 1157 bus companies nationwide, 60.9% of companies answered that they operated at a fare lower than the law before the accident in Karuizawa, but in December 2018, It means that it has been improving in recent years, such as decreasing to 9.4%.
However, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the use of chartered buses has decreased significantly, and it has been found that several bus companies are asking travel agencies to reduce their fares again.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has decided to thoroughly instruct not only bus companies but also travel agencies to operate at appropriate fares.
Fare deterioration movement Bus company testimony
Chartered bus fares are deteriorating due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
At a bus company in the Kanto region, the fare for a chartered bus for a day tour to the suburbs of the Tokyo metropolitan area is calculated based on the law and is over 110,000 yen, but before the bus accident in Karuizawa, it is 60,000 yen, which is much lower. After the accident, we were able to raise the fare to the 80,000 yen level by strengthening national guidance and repeatedly asking travel agencies to raise prices.
However, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, a travel agency reported in September that "the demand for bus tours has dropped significantly and this is also tough. Another bus company is offering cheaper fare." After that, it was about 70,000 yen, which is more than 10% lower.
On another tour with a long mileage, I asked for a price increase of 3,000 yen for fuel costs etc., but I was immediately refused because "the price does not match", so I hurriedly returned to 70,000 yen. is.
According to the company, at 70,000 yen, the driver's labor cost, vehicle maintenance cost, office and parking lot expenses will be almost eliminated, so if this price continues, it will be a driver's job to prevent accidents. It is said that there is a risk that you will not be able to pay enough for the brain dock you are doing.
The president said, "It's a big blow to reduce the fare. I have to decline it, but if I decline it, I can't secure a job. Other bus companies are also lowering the price, so I'm crying. When the fare goes down, Sufficient safety measures are not taken, and drivers are forced to work hard in order to increase bus operation and increase sales. As a result, a big accident such as a bus accident in Karuizawa may occur. It's a dangerous situation, but one company can't do anything about it. "
Expert "Further concerns in the future"
As an administrative scrivener, Isao Iijima, president of a bus consulting company that gives management advice to more than 150 bus companies nationwide, said that the effects of the new coronavirus could worsen fares and make them unsafe. I'm pointing out.
Mr. Iijima said that the chartered bus industry is in a situation where jobs are almost gone due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and it is being utilized by national interest-free unsecured loans and employment adjustment subsidies. With the addition of repayments, the situation will be more difficult. On the other hand, the demand for tours will not return as much as before, so there are concerns that companies will continue to lower their fares and start working franticly. "
He points out that safety costs such as vehicle maintenance and driver education will be insufficient, and safety may be neglected.
Mr. Iijima said, "Travel has stopped due to the influence of Corona to create a social atmosphere that not only the country strengthens surveillance but also the user side is cheap and neither bus company nor travel agency chooses. Now is the time to think again. "