Bus Company Suspended for Overworking Drivers More than 16 Hours/Day

OSAKA, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - Nankai Bus has been ordered to halt operations following reports that the company has been overworking drivers for more than 16 hours a day, driven by severe staff shortages.

Labor regulations stipulate that a driver's working hours should not exceed 16 hours in a single day. However, the Higashiyama Depot in Sakai City, Osaka, was found to have confirmed 12 instances of drivers violating the designated time limit.

The Kinki Transport Bureau ordered the suspension of service on January 11 for four buses for a period of five days each.

South Sea Bus has stated that this regulatory action will not impact its operations. Nevertheless, the shortage of drivers has become increasingly critical since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the company to reevaluate its schedule in January and reduce the number of bus services due to insufficient staffing.

Website: Nankai Bus

Source: MBS NEWS

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