Japan testing 'driver sharing' between bus companies

TOKYO — Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Ministry is launch a trial program that will share bus drivers among different companies, in an effort to address the shortage of drivers some regions face during peak tourist season.

During the trial period, motorcoach companies that need drivers will be able to temporarily employ drivers from other companies in locations that are experiencing a tourism lull. The experiment relies on the assumption that different regions peak tourism season varies depending the season.

The Tourism Ministry hopes the pilot program will shed light on how to deal with driver employment conditions, wages, and employee work hours, before a implementing the plan across the country. To read the full story, click here.