Basic knowledge of route buses

Regarding items related to the route bus (sharing bus) business, we have compiled ideas and rules.

• Expense Structure
• Net income and expenditures
• Operation efficiency
• Fare Structure
• Vehicle size
• Vehicle price

Route buses are said to be a labor-intensive industry (an industry where labor costs account for a high percentage of labor costs), and labor costs account for about 60% of total expenses. The rest are vehicle expenses, fuel expenses, taxes and insurance premiums, and general administrative expenses (administrative expenses required for company management).

At present, the balance of route buses is very difficult, and about 70% of the number of routes operated by most bus operators are deficit routes (* 1), and the remaining about 30% of surplus routes It is a situation that is operated by profit.
In addition, as a bus operator, the income and expenditure is severe, and about 70% of bus operators with 30 or more vehicles nationwide are in deficit operation (* 2).
※1: Bus Industry Study Group Report, April 2009 Bus Industry Study Group
※2: December 2014 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism;

Route buses are based on round-trip buses between stations and housing complex and offices. However, during the commuting hours when the number of passengers board, there are many uses in the direction of the station in the morning, and there is little use in the opposite direction, and it is a biased operation.
Therefore, even if there are many routes during commuting hours, there are many routes where the income and expenditure is not matched when looking at round trips. Even if the service is carried forward only in the direction of low use, it is difficult to operate efficiently because the time required and labor costs will not change much.

In Yokohama city, two fare systems are roughly divided into two types.

Which fare system is to be applied is determined by the bus operator based on the characteristics and profitability of each route, and will be examined by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to determine whether it is appropriate and approved. I am.
The fare for route buses is based on a "maximum approval system", which is approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the upper limit applied by the bus operator. If it is within the scope of this approved upper limit, the operator can flexibly set fares only by notification.
In addition, when applying for the upper limit, the cost of standard expenses and profits in the operating area (Keihin block in Yokohama) is the standard so that the management efficiency of each bus operator is not reflected in fares.
※Keihin Block: Tokyo Special Ward, Mitaka City, Musashino City, Chofu City, Komae City, Yokohama City and Kawasaki City

Regarding the maximum dimensions of vehicles that can pass on the road, the Vehicle Restriction Ordinance stipulates that the width must not exceed 2.5m, 3.8m in height, and 12m in length. Vehicles smaller than this are allowed to pass without permission.
In addition, the types of cars are classified by the Road Traffic Law Enforcement Regulations, and large vehicles with a capacity of 30 or more are large vehicles.

The vehicle price of a route bus cannot be said unconditionally because the internal equipment and external specifications vary greatly depending on the bus operator, but the main vehicle price of the vehicle is about 20 million yen.