Brilliant Transportation Gimmick of the Day: A Cat Station Master
日本Kishi火車站站長Tama可能無法幫你找對車廂
The stationmaster at Japan's Kishi train station probably won't be able to help you find the platform, or check your luggage, or rush for a transfer. She'd make a good companion though, as long as you're not more of a dog person.
Since 2007, a calico cat named Tama has served as Super Station Master at the small station in Kinokawa City in Wakayama Prefecture. A decade earlier, the small local train line had been hemorrhaging $4.7 million a year. Though a merger forced the Wakayama Electric Railway to reduce staff at the stations along the route, Tama, a stray cat adopted by a local storekeeper, stuck around. And once they named her the official station master in 2007, things turned around quickly. Her first year on the job saw a 10 percent increase in ridership, and, according to one study, an extra 1.1 billion yen ($10.4 million) came into the once-failing system.
Now, Tama's helped bring international media attention to Kishi train station, which has become a national tourism destination. The system now has special cat-themed train cars, a Tama cafe and a souvenir shop selling everything from stuffed animals to a full set of dining room furniture. According to the blog Spoon & Tamago, Tama's annual salary is paid out in a year's supply of cat food, which is an awful lot like a subsistence wage, especially given the huge profits she's helped rake in. At least she gets a snazzy uniform and a window-filled office in a converted ticket booth.
Cat in the hat: A calico cat named Tama was appointed the station master of Kishi station in Kinokawa City in 2007
Miracle: Tama single-highhandedly brought in $10.4million to the once-failing Wakayama Electric Railway by boosting ridership
Workplace: Tama has her own office equipped with a litter box inside a converted ticket booth
But with the appointment of the furry station master, the town's flagging fortunes experienced a remarkable turnaround, The Atlantic Cities reported.
The tiny, provincial municipality became an overnight tourist destination. Visitors from across the country have been flocking to the provincial town just to take a picture with Tama.
In the process, the railway system that at one time had been on the verge of bankruptcy got a $10.4million boost thanks to travelers eager to see the four-legged railway official.
Beside boosting ridership, Tama has inspired a whole line of cat-themed products, from T-shirts, stuffed animals and other souvenirs to a full set of dining room furniture emblazoned with the kitty's likeness.
In 2009, the railway eager to cater to Tama’s fans unveiled a special cat-themed train featuring cartoon depictions of everyone’s favorite feline.
Economic juggernaut: Tama has inspired a whole line of cat-themed products, including T-shirts, stuffed animals and other souvenirs like mugs and fans
Bon apetit: Fans of Tama can purchase this dining room set depicting the furry celebrity
Money train: In 2009, the railway unveiled a special cat-themed train featuring cartoon depictions of Tama
The following year, the station building at Kishi was revamped with a new structure resembling a cat's face.
According to the blog Spoon & Tamago, the 14-year-old four-legged station master receives her salary in cat food.
Her primary duty is to greet customers at the station. The position comes with a snazzy station master's hat and an office with a litter box inside a converted ticket booth.
Tama comes from humble beginnings. She was born in Kinokawa and raised with a group of strays wandering around Kishi station.
In 2007, officials of the failing rail system caught wind of the cute calico hanging around a local grocery store and unexpectedly decided to name her Kishi’s new station master, hoping that the gimmick might help with the dire financial situation.
Big promotion: Tama was appointed to the post of Operating Officer in 2010
Welcome wagon: As Super Station Master, Tama's main job is to greet visitors
Tourist attraction: Visitors have been flocking to the tiny provincial station to meet Tama face to face
Unlikely hero: Tama started out as a stray hanging out at the Kishi station when desperate railway officials decided to turn her into the train system's mascot
Needless to say, the plan worked like a charm.
In January 2010, railway officials promoted Tama to the post of Operating Officer, making her the first feline to become an executive of a railroad corporation.
Her staff consisted of two four-legged assistant stationmasters, Chibi and Miiko, but now only the former remains.
The whiskered celebrity appeared in a documentary about cats titled La Voie du chat in French and Katzenlektionen in German by Italian filmmaker Myriam Tonelotto.
Last January, the 14-year-old’s official apprentice, and a would-be successor named Nitama (second Tama), was revealed.
Cutest Train Car in the World
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