JR Tokai will discontinue in-train wagon sales on all “Nozomi” and “Hikari” trains of the Tokaido Shinkansen on October 31, and will start a mobile ordering service limited to Green Cars on November 1.
In recent years, stations and nearby stores have become more and more well-stocked, and as a result, it has become the norm for passengers to bring their own food and beverages into the train. The introduction of a mobile ordering service will not only allow passengers to order items whenever they want them, but will also respond to requests for a quiet in-train environment and future labor shortages.
Mobile ordering is performed by passengers themselves using their smartphones or tablets. The passenger reads the QR code attached to the “Omotenashi Guide” in the seat pocket of each seat in the Green Car, selects a beverage or snack from the displayed menu list, and adds it to the cart. Once the order is confirmed, a purser will deliver it to your seat.
In addition to standard items such as tea, coffee, ice cream, and snacks, the menu will include the same lineup of items such as meals, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and souvenirs as before. When the purser arrives to deliver the items to your seat, you pay with cash or e-money. The customer receives a receipt to complete the transaction.
Since you can take your time in making your selection on your mobile device, there is no need to stop the purser before checking the wagon to see what is available, or to worry about making a hasty purchase out of concern for your surroundings, as in the past.
In addition, the number of vending machines on the platforms of Shinkansen stations will be expanded in the future. Drip coffee and ice cream, which are popular items sold on trains, will be available for purchase before boarding the train.
In addition, a support call service will be introduced as a new in-train service for Green Cars. Similar to mobile ordering, passengers can use QR codes to call crew members when they have questions or problems related to in-train facilities, tickets, or transfers.
A QR code is also attached to the “multi-purpose room” in Car 11, which can be used for breastfeeding, etc. Passengers in regular cars can also call the crew in a timely manner when they need assistance.
Incidentally, the purser uniform was renewed this fall for the first time in about 20 years. The uniforms have been redesigned to be more functional, with the elimination of the cap and the option of pants for women, to make it easier for them to guide and assist passengers. The elegant design based on navy and champagne gold is also noteworthy.
© Source travel watch