Hirafu Free Shuttle Bus 2022-23
We are pleased to inform you about the Hirafu Free Shuttle Bus, and the outline of this winterseason's operation will be as follows. We will make every effort to make this information more easily understood and managed after the bus service begins.
Outline of the Hirafu Free Shuttle Bus(1) Period of operation: December 15, 2022 (Thursday) to February 28, 2023 (Tuesday)
(2) Operating area: Kabayama area - Hirafu Ski Resort Welcome Center - Yamada area
(3) Route: See attached sheet *Details will be announced on the website.
(4) Operator: Yotsuji Jidosha Kogyo Co.
Because this project is subsidized by the Japan Tourism Agency, it will end at the end ofFebruary, as required by their budgetary requirements.
2. About the Project
With the goal of resuming inbound tourism this project received an initial budget of 12,000,000 yen. Based on approval by the Kutchan Tourism Association Board of Directors and Executive Board of Operations an application was made to the national government’s public contribution project (to be implemented with a 50% subsidy from the Tourism Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Project for the revitalization of tourist attractions and high value-added tourism services through the integration of local communities")
3. Others
Starting this fiscal year, we will introduce a GPS system that enables real-time confirmation of the bus movements. A special website for bus operation is scheduled to be released in early December, so that bus users will be able to anticipate the approximate bus arrival time. During the above period, the Welcome Center will be staffed at night again this year. To make the buses instantly recognizable, the buses have been repainted Porsche red like Skybus and rebranded with clear signage and a snow mountain motif.
The goal of the KTA is to have shuttle bus operations earlier in December, and later into spring. Due to Covid contributions to the bed tax were dramatically reduced, and we have had to look for subsidies to guarantee any operations. As we rebound from Covid, the KTA will continue to look for ways to extend the operations of the shuttle bus. Your understanding is appreciated.
