「平日限定運転士」が人手不足解消のカギに？　退職続出の鉄道会社が“異例の働き方”導入　初の“外国人バス運転手”デビュー…バス会社の戦略は【news23】｜TBS NEWS DIG

Many industries are facing labor shortages. In particular, transportation services such as trains and buses are suffering from a shortage of drivers, leading to route closures and service reductions. In response, a railway company in Kumamoto introduced an unusual "work-style reform." How did they resolve the labor shortage and protect the transportation needs of local residents? ■Four years from now, a nationwide shortage of 36,000 drivers… Foreign drivers are playing an active role This woman, Mahatmi Rismartanti (26), from Indonesia, made her debut as a bus driver this spring. Tokyu Bus Driver Mahatmi "I'll check the interior before departure. Departing for Tamaplaza at 12:29." Office Worker "Okay, be careful, have a good trip." Mahatmi came to Japan in September 2025, and after six months of training, became the first foreign driver for Tokyu Bus in March. Tokyu Bus Driver Mahatmi "Doors closing. We are departing, please hold on." On this day, she was on a roughly one-hour round trip from the Kawasaki depot to Tama Plaza Station. She skillfully handled the steering wheel. Tokyu Bus Driver Mahatmi "At first, I found it difficult, but now I really enjoy it." "When customers say 'thank you,' I feel a sense of fulfillment." Mahatmi, who has loved anime since childhood and studied Japanese culture in college, initially took a job in her home country after graduation… Tokyu Bus Driver Mahatmi "I wanted to work in Japan." Then, she learned that Tokyu Bus was recruiting foreign drivers and applied without hesitation. She came to Japan and obtained the "Specified Skilled Worker" qualification, which allows foreigners with specialized skills to work in Japan. Local residents appreciate the presence of "foreign drivers" who support local transportation… Bus users: "This area isn't on a train line, after all. We're grateful to everyone who takes on this job, whether they're from overseas or Japan." The number of people wanting to become bus drivers is decreasing year by year. According to estimates by the Japan Bus Association, there will be a shortage of 36,000 drivers nationwide in four years. Tokyu Bus, 2nd batch of Specified Skilled Workers: "Please check your change." Amidst a series of bus route reductions and cancellations, Tokyu Bus is strengthening its recruitment of foreign personnel. Mahatmi's "junior" has already joined the company, and they aim to have 10% of new hires be foreigners. ■ Improving labor shortages with "weekday-only drivers" work style reforms Some railway companies have overcome labor shortages through "groundbreaking work style reforms." Kumamoto Electric Railway, which connects Kumamoto City and Koshi City. Due to a series of resignations caused by long working hours and other factors, the number of train drivers decreased to just four by 2025. (Normally, nine drivers are needed.) From February 2025, the weekday schedule, which previously had about 160 trains per day, had to be reduced to about 120. On this day, Yoshiro Kawabata (61) was in charge of driving from the first train of the day. Kumamoto Electric Railway Train Driver, Yoshiro Kawabata "This is car number 132. It's a Tokyo Metro train." Kawabata, who worked for a Kansai railway company for 41 years until last year (2025), took a new job at Kumamoto Electric Railway after retirement, living away from his family and working alone. Kumamoto Electric Railway Train Driver, Yoshiro Kawabata "I became a train driver at the age of 25 (at my previous company) and drove for over 10 years." "I always wanted to drive again." The "new way of working" introduced by Kumamoto Electric Railway made Mr. Kawabata's dream a reality. Kumamoto Electric Railway Train Driver, Yoshiro Kawabata "Weekday-only train driver; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are guaranteed days off." This "weekday-only" work shift is unusual in the railway industry, which operates 365 days a year without rest. Thanks to this system, Mr. Kawabata says he was able to leave his family in his hometown of Kyoto and work in Kumamoto. Weekday-only train driver, Yoshiro Kawabata "My family and friends all asked me, 'Why are you going to Kumamoto?'" "So I thought I'd go back to Kyoto, my hometown, about once a month. If I had weekends (and holidays) off, I could see everyone when I got back." "My family is happy too. They were all worried about me. Since we live far apart, we can't see each other right away." The unique "weekday-only train drivers" have attracted attention nationwide, and the number has increased to 12, including drivers who work weekends. From May 11th, the schedule was able to return to 95% of the pre-reduction level. Why did they adopt a "weekday-only" work style? The person in charge explained… Kumamoto Electric Railway Executive Officer, Ikuo Nakano, General Manager of Railway Operations "After starting recruitment for our route bus (operation) and seeing the number of applications, we considered incorporating a weekday-o...