Free bus day to incentivize local travel

Like many people living in Japan, I tend to rely almost entirely on trains to get around. Buses often feel a little harder to navigate, especially outside the major tourist routes, so I rarely think to use them unless absolutely necessary. Niigata City is trying to change that, though, and today they're holding a "Free Bus Day" to try and get people on board!

The free fare program does require registering for a digital one-day pass through the RyutoLink app, and the campaign covers city buses, ward buses, and community buses, with unlimited rides throughout the day.

For expats especially, I think this is a nice, low-pressure opportunity to explore parts of the city that are easy to overlook when sticking to train lines. Participants can also access discounts at local restaurants and events by showing the app-based pass, so all in all I think it's a pretty cool concept!