{
  "id": 16723697,
  "title": "Flu outbreak forces Hokkaido bus operator to cut weekday service for lack of drivers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/flu-outbreak-forces-hokkaido-bus-operator-to-cut-weekday-service-for",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-27T07:33:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261027/p2a/00m/0bu/021000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Dohoku Bus Corp. has implemented a reduced weekday schedule for its buses due to a flu outbreak among its drivers. Over 10% of the company's drivers have fallen ill, making it challenging to maintain the regular bus timetable. The company, which primarily operates regular and highway buses in northern Hokkaido, has cut 66 services from its usual 458 weekday runs. The reduced schedule will remain in place for now. Dohoku Bus will continue to operate normally on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, with no reductions in highway bus services. Out of the approximately 150 drivers in the company, around 20 have been infected with the flu. To adapt to the situation, the company has developed a special schedule based on the Saturday, Sunday, and holiday timetable. Services during times when there is heavy commuter and student traffic have been arranged to resemble the typical weekday schedule.",
  "summary": "ASAHIKAWA, Hokkaido -- Dohoku Bus Corp. began a reduced weekday schedule on Oct. 27 after more than 10% of its drivers came down with the flu, making",
  "key_points": [
    "Hokkaido bus operator Dohoku Bus Corp. cuts weekday services due to flu outbreak.",
    "Over 10% of drivers fall ill, reducing 66 services from 458 weekday runs.",
    "Company maintains Saturday, Sunday, and holiday services without reductions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "A significant loss of staff to illness disrupts essential regional transit, forcing the operator to prioritize commuter and student traffic over standard weekday service levels.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}