JR West introduces teleworking booths on Shinkansen

The Yomiuri Shimbun

10:49 JST, June 6, 2022

JR West has introduced teleworking booths on Shinkansen trains running between Tokyo and Hakata stations on a trial basis.

The booths allow those traveling on the train to make use of web conferencing and other services. JR West aims to attract business demand amid the slow recovery for rail usage due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The company began operation of the booths in May, setting up a table, chairs and power outlets in renovated smoking rooms between cars No. 7 and No. 8 on some Nozomi trains.

The rooms, which are open to passengers using car No. 7, are available to groups of up to two people for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time.

The service is free of charge for the time being. JR West will consider expanding the service based on usage.