JR Central has announced that it will end the sale of wagons on the Nozomi and Hikari trains of the Tokaido Shinkansen at the end of October. The reason is that sales are declining due to an increase in the number of beverages and food brought in, and the response to future labor shortages.
The Tokaido Shinkansen currently sells wagons such as snacks and drinks on all Nozomi and Hikari trains, but according to JR Central, this service will end at the end of October.
JR Central says the reasons are that the assortment of stores around the station has been enhanced, the number of people bringing beverages and food on board has increased, sales have decreased by about half of the fiscal 10 level as of fiscal 2018, before the coronavirus pandemic, and the need to respond to future labor shortages.
Introducing a new service that delivers orders with QR codes to your seat
On the other hand, with the end of sales of in-car wagons, the Nozomi and Hikari green cars will introduce new services.
With this service, you can read the QR code installed on your seat with your smartphone or other device to order a meal or drink, and the flight attendant will deliver it to your seat.
In addition, JR Central has decided to increase the number of vending machines on platforms such as stations where Nozomi stops where customers can purchase beverages and ice cream, which are in high demand for in-car wagon sales.