Kyoto Considers Dual Pricing on Public Transport
The Japanese city of Kyoto is looking to introduce a dual pricing system on its public transport network, charging tourists more than locals to help tackle overtourism.
Tourism in Kyoto
After Tokyo, Kyoto is arguably Japan’s most popular travel destination.
As one of the few Japanese cities to escape bombing in the Second World War, Kyoto’s old town is remarkably well-preserved.
Millions of tourists visit annually to admire its fine temples and old wooden houses, drink tea in traditional tea rooms, and gaze at the geishas.
However, Kyoto’s popularity has led to massive overtourism in the ancient capital of Japan, home to just under 1.5 million people.
This has led to complaints from locals who struggle to access public transport in Kyoto, as buses and trains are reportedly crowded with tourists.
Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train in Kyoto. ©AndyBTravels
Kyoto’s dual pricing plan for public transport
According to an article in the Daily Telegraph, Kyoto’s Mayor, Mr Koji Matsui, is exploring the idea of introducing dual pricing on the city’s buses.
Mayor Matsui said: “We are considering changing bus fares between residents and non-residents, asking non-residents to pay a slightly higher fare.
“The purpose of this would be to use it as a financial resource to help ease congestion and preserve Kyoto’s beautiful cultural cityscape.
“By also having tourists share the burden, we want residents to recognise that, thanks to tourists visiting, their daily lives have become more convenient, or the cityscape has been better preserved.
“This is an effort to balance daily life and tourism, and we plan to propose it to the city council as part of a roughly two-year plan.”
Special tourist buses
In addition to the potential introduction of dual pricing, Kyoto is implementing other measures to manage the tourist influx, including express tourist-only buses that run non-stop between the city’s major tourist areas.
Mayor Matsui said: “In busy areas, some local residents are unable to travel on city-operated buses because they’re so crowded.
“Some buses are used by residents and students and people who need to get to hospital – as well as lots of tourists.
“We think it can be useful to separate local residents from tourists – so local residents can use city-operated buses for their own purpose, and tourists can ride on limited express buses to famous sightseeing spots.”
Japanese woman in kimono walking in front of a Kyoto city bus. ©Pexels/Satoshi Hirayama
Dual pricing on transport
Dual pricing on public transport, where foreign tourists are charged more than locals, is implemented in several countries worldwide.
In Egypt, foreign tourists are charged up to 400% more for train tickets than locals, with a ticket between Cairo and Alexandria costing $40 for tourists compared to just $5 for Egyptians.
Such dual pricing measures are common in some developing countries to keep public transport profitable while ensuring the majority of locals can still afford to travel.
Dual pricing is also common at tourist sights worldwide, with a ticket to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, costing 1,100 rupees (€12.10) for foreign visitors, while Indians pay just 50 rupees (€0.55).
However, it is much rarer to see dual pricing in a developed country, especially at the city level for public transport, rather than on national railways or at tourist sights (if you know of other examples, feel free to leave a comment!).
AndyB comments
Having visited Kyoto, I have seen the issues of overtourism in real time.
I’m not sure dual pricing should be the focus.
I rather think it’s a better idea to adapt the public transport offering by introducing high-frequency tourist-oriented routes to relieve pressure on the regular network.
