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Bus drivers in Okayama working with Ryobi Group have taken to the streets in an unusual form of protest. While technically on strike, they are continuing to drive their routes while refusing to take fares from passengers.
▼ Image shows a white blanket over the fare machine.
A new rival bus line Megurin began operating on April 27 with some routes overlapping those of Ryobi and offering a cheaper fare. If that all wasn’t bad enough, Megurin buses have cute little faces too.
As a result, Ryobi drivers are feeling threatened and are asking management for improvements to their job security under the added competition. It would seem Ryobi was less than enthusiastic to accommodate and a strike was declared.
In cases such as this, management may use the labor stoppage against the drivers, appealing to the public that they are putting their own needs before the community’s. So to show that isn’t the case, Ryobi drivers are continuing to clock in, but without performing the part of their job that requires them to accept payment during certain times. In other words, free bus rides for all!
▼ The free-fare protest happened at the same time as Megurin’s maiden trip.
This isn’t the first time such a strike has occurred in Japan or around the world. Both Brisbane and Sydney held fare-free days as part of labor disputes last year. The earliest documented case of a “fare strike” goes back a protest by Cleveland streetcar workers in 1944, and similar cases involving other services have happened in Europe and Latin America prior to that.
Readers of the news were somewhat divided about the concept, with many wondering if it was really in the workers’ best interests.
“This isn’t good at all. They’re working for free?!”
“I think stopping the buses altogether would put more pressure on management.”
“The idea is neat, but I think the money saved from wages and the value of free advertisement this action is creating means the company is still doing okay.”
“This is a great idea, I like that they are trying different ways to get what they want.”
“How cool is that?”
“I heard they do this in Australia and it worked out really well!”
“I think it is a good way to protect the company image in the long run, but I wonder how this affects both sides’ bargaining positions.”
There are a lot of factors that will affect the outcome of this labor dispute, but it is an interesting experiment to see how such a strike will work in Japanese business culture among management, workers, and passengers.
Considering that Ryobi drivers are looking for job security while up against a cheaper bus company, protecting their image and relationship with their passengers is crucial. So it probably is a wise move for everyone involved.
Sources: Sankei News, Twitter/@mipourako, Hachima Kiko
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2018/05/01/okayama-buses-strike-by-continuing-to-run-and-refusing-to-take-anyones-money/
28 Comments
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Michael Jackson
When you think about it, it makes sense. If they did a normal strike, the new bus company would take over and brag about how they were providing services that the old one couldn't
maybeperhapsyes
Way to stick it to the man! Why don't they try this method back in the UK. Trains and tubes are always going on strike. Free rides would make the man sit up and listen.
Maria
I like this move. Nobody can accuse them of not considering the commuters, but the company has to react.
dcog9065
That’s a good way to keep public opinion on the side of the strikers
Pukey2
Striking while offering passengers free rides? France, are you listening?
NCIS Reruns
Who uses money on public transport any more?
Luddite
Would have almost zero effect. London buses haven't taken cash for years and almost all passengers on the Tube use an Oyster or contactless card. Most train travellers have a season ticket of some kind or have pre-booked.
Toshihiro
My guess is that its going to be only a matter of time before company workers around Japan will do strikes like this to protest on their stubborn employers. Imagine a peaceful "Arab Spring" for the common Japanese worker where protests, strikes and rallies would occur on an almost regular basis with the common theme: our company refuses to change or is unfair. Considering the Gen X and Y Japanese aren't as gamansuru like older generations, I could see this happening. Anyone agree?
TedSales
Free public transport might be the next big idea for more livable cities.
http://bigthink.com/think-tank/should-all-public-transit-be-free
Civitas Sine Suffragio
I miss the Japanese spirit that was displayed in the 50s and 60s
maybeperhapsyes
@luddite
Haha...true bud. I have been in Japan soooooo long that I keep forgeting things change back home.
nandakandamanda
Megurin with the cute face is not new and has been going for years. They only charge 100 yen a trip, though, and it is the overlap on their new route that is causing a potential problem.
@Luddite. In London I have tried to swipe my travel pass getting on a bus, only to be waved away by the driver, indicating that his machine is not registering fares. Then I notice that the little light is off. In theory therefore, such a strike could indeed work there.
Brian Wheway
This is crackers! the low bus fares of 100 to 250 yen is pretty low as it is, but to undercut this price is pretty daft, I love the way the drivers won't take any money, thats a new tactic its a win win situation, may be we should try it here in the UK, my other thought is, are the due drivers braking company rules by not taking money?
joyridingonthetitanic
That's the most polite and well meaning strike I can think of, no major disruption to their customers but hits the company where it hurts, while still keeping the public onside. Genius!
Goodlucktoyou
Never use a bus because...there are none here and when I lived in the city, the seats were too small. But, protest that doesn’t involve violence gets my vote.
zurcronium
We do in Japan. Everyday.
Avis Hardy
Would love to travel there. So, let me read what the hubbub is all about.
smithinjapan
I like it! But unfortunately I have to agree with the opinion that ultimately this just gets the company more publicity and is unlikely to hurt them. The staff, on the other hand, knowing how unions work in Japan, will get canned and probably sued.
Beatrix
Strange how people think it can’t work in London because of the Oyster card or find it odd that people use money on public transport. Are you people magically not paying? “Money” doesn’t mean cash and the drivers aren’t accepting fares in any form.
Luddite
You can't get in or out a Tube station without having a ticket/card. As for buses, many routes have plain clothed and uniformed ticket inspectors waiting to catch those who don't swipe. Notorious routes like the No 25 often have ticket checks.
mmwkdw
This doesn't sound like a strike, but a way that the established Bus Company can put the other one off using the same routes... as a passenger, I'd simply wait for the free bus to come along.
I wonder how long the newcomer will last under those conditions before pulling the overlapping routes.
socrateos
What planet are you from?
Luiz Henrique Assis Garcia
Very well done report. I've just seen similiar articles in other newspapers that doesn't work it out. Many are showing this tactic as a novelty... here in Brasil is very usual, and it's called "pula catraca" (something like "jump the turnstyle").