Niseko Expands Car Sharing In 2024

Niseko is doubling down on its car sharing service for 2024.

While car sharing is typically associated with urban areas of high population densities, Niseko debuted a car sharing service demonstration project from 1 July to 31 October of last year with a fleet of three vehicles in partnership with Times Car, a national car sharing company.

The 2024 service will use a fleet of four hybrid vehicles, two available at the Niseko Station parking lot and two available at the Niseko Town Center parking lot, and will run from 16 April to 15 October.

Mitsuo Kawano from Niseko Town’s Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division said that the car sharing service was begun in 2023 because transportation had become inconvenient for residents and tourists alike.

162 people took advantage of the 2023 demonstration project. Drivers, Japanese or foreigners, must have a Japanese driver’s licence and a Times Car membership, where usage fees apply.

With the additional vehicle and longer time period for 2024 – as well as higher awareness of the service – Kawano san said usage is expected to increase significantly.

Times Car membership costs begin with a JPY1650 (US$10.87) one-time insurance fee and then a monthly fee of JPY880 (US$5.80), which can be waived for those who can prove they are students and certain corporate accounts of that quality.

Usage fees then apply to the amount of time the vehicles are used and type of vehicle, which for Niseko are all hybrid models of what Times Car has defined as its “basic” fleet.

For instance, with a car from Niseko’s service, short trips charge JPY220 (US$1.45) per 15 minutes, while a 12 hour usage costs JPY5500 (US$36.24). Gas and insurance is included.

Niseko’s car sharing service is yet another effort to address the lack of transportation in the area that can impact residents’ quality of life and visitors’ experiences.

Last fall, Niseko and Kutchan entered into a collaboration agreement with GO Corporation and several Hokkaido public organisations to create the “Niseko Model” which brought additional taxis and drivers from Sapporo and Tokyo to the area for the busy winter season.

For more information on the car sharing service, visit Niseko Town’s car sharing webpage.

Images:
Niseko Town

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