Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd. announced on January 28 that it has requested the operation of extra buses and taxi services beyond their normal operating areas as alternative transportation means for passengers arriving at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan.
Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) will suspend trains arriving at and departing from Sapporo Station after 9:00 p.m., as sufficient time for snow removal cannot be secured. The last train from New Chitose Airport toward Sapporo will be the Special Rapid “Airport No. 173,” departing at 8:47 p.m.
The extra buses will operate to the Oyachi Bus Terminal. Hokkaido Chuo Bus will run 18 services, Hokuto Kotsu will run 14 services, and Sapporo Kanko Bus will run 2 services, for a total of 34 services, with a transportation capacity of about 1,850 passengers. All buses will depart as soon as they are full. In addition, for buses to Chitose Station, three regular route buses will operate, and an increase of three additional vehicles is being arranged. Some services will provide connections to buses bound for Fukuzumi. The fare is 1,200 yen, and only cash is accepted. From Oyachi Bus Terminal, passengers can access central Sapporo via the Tozai (East–West) Subway Line. All buses bound for the Sapporo area, other than those going to Oyachi Bus Terminal, will be suspended.
The buses secured by Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd. for airport staff will operate to Chitose Station in a shuttle (back-and-forth) service about six times. Preparations are also being made to secure additional vehicles.
From 8:30 p.m. onward, taxis will be permitted to operate beyond their normal business areas. The Hokkaido Hire-Taxi Association has requested its member companies to give priority dispatch to New Chitose Airport. It is reported that around 70 hotel rooms are currently available inside the airport, in the city of Chitose, and in the surrounding area.
AloJapan.com