JAPAN BUS LINES (hereinafter JBL), founded jointly by 59 expressway bus operators across Japan, put on sale on September 15 the "JBL Pass," which is good for 92 bus routes across the country for seven or 14 consecutive days, available on its website (http://japanbuslines.com/) over a limited period.

(Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M103940/201609234602/_prw_OI2fl_5BhZ37jm.png)

The pass is aimed at encouraging inbound tourists, whose number has been growing in recent years, to use expressway bus services and helping them smoothly travel in Japan. The seven-day pass is 20,000 yen and the 14-day pass 28,000 yen. The holder of the pass can travel on the 92 routes as many times as they want during these periods.

The JBL Pass allows passengers to travel at lower costs than separately buying tickets for expressway buses and other transportation systems. Additionally, since inbound tourists can buy and pay for the pass and make seat reservations all online, they do not have to exchange vouchers for bus tickets at ticket offices, allowing them to travel by expressway bus more easily and conveniently. Visitors can purchase the JBL Pass after coming to Japan.

Moreover, JBL is introducing travel routes it recommends for inbound tourists, including areas hosting World Heritage sites (Mount Fuji, Nara, Kyoto and Hiroshima), with the aim of letting visitors using the JBL Pass know tourist attractions in Japan. After the sales period for the pass, JBL will analyze sales records as well as how the pass has been used to consider selling expressway bus passes next year and later to better meet inbound tourists' needs.

Overview of the pass

- URL of the website for reservations:

http://japanbuslines.com/en/buspass/ (English)

http://japanbuslines.com/tw/buspass/ (Chinese--traditional characters)

- Sales period: September 15-December 7, 2016

- Period when JBL Pass users can start their trips: September 26-December 15, 2016

- Period of validity: Seven or 14 consecutive days that begin during the period when JBL Pass users can start their trips

- Price: 20,000 yen for a seven-day pass; 28,000 yen for a 14-day pass