Latest news with #Spacer
Japan Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Locker-to-hotel luggage delivery service expanding in Japan
As the nation's tourism boom continues, a delivery service that transports traveler's luggage from train station lockers to hotels is expanding in Japan. The service allows users to leave their luggage in lockers and have their items delivered the same day to the hotels where they are staying. Last year, West Japan Railway and Osaka Metro launched the service in Osaka Prefecture, which has been attracting many visitors due to the World Expo. East Japan Railway and Tokyo Metro are increasing the number of stations in Tokyo where the service is available. Tourists bringing large suitcases onto trains and buses have sometimes caused problems. The expansion of the locker-to-hotel delivery service is expected to ease congestion on public transportation. To use the delivery service, the luggage must be placed in a specific locker. Fees vary depending on the size of the luggage and location, ranging from around ¥1,500 to ¥3,500. In March last year, JR West launched the service with lockers in Shin-Osaka Station and Universal-City Station, the closest station to Universal Studios Japan. In Osaka, the service is currently available at seven stations. The monthly average number of users in March-May this year was up roughly threefold compared with the period between April last year to February this year. A JR West official said that the service is thriving due in part to inbound demand. Spacer, a Tokyo-based company that manufactures and operates lockers for the service, said that the firm launched the business in Osaka by collaborating with railway companies and others in anticipation of train congestion after the kickoff of the Osaka Expo. "The service has gradually spread," said Daisuke Tokunaga, president of Spacer. Osaka Metro has also teamed up with Spacer to provide the service since December last year. Tokyo Metro, which launched the service at Oshiage Station in May, plans to boost the number stations where the service is available to around 20 in the capital. JR East Smart Logistics Co. entered the business in September last year. It has lockers for the service at 15 stations in Tokyo, including Tokyo and Shinjuku stations. The firm also set up the lockers at four stations belonging to Keihan Electric Railway in Kansai in April and at Kyoto Station in June in collaboration with Central Japan Railway. "We are still in the phase of gaining recognition (for the service,) but usage is increasing gradually," said an official of JR East Smart Logistics.
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
How Your Parking Space and Garage Can Earn You $3,000 in Just 10 Minutes
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2025 / Billionaire Andrew Carnegie famously said that 90% of millionaires built their wealth through real estate, so it's no wonder property remains one of the most attractive ways to grow wealth in America. However, for those that own or rent one primary residence, there is an easier way to start building wealth off your assets - renting out your spare parking space or 10 minutes work Americans are making an average of $3,000 in just 10 minutes on Spacer Spacer is America's #1 marketplace for parking, helping hosts to make passive income and offering renters more convenient and affordable parking. Mike Rosenbaum, the global CEO of Spacer, America's #1 marketplace for parking says 'We are seeing hosts make on average $3,000 a year off one parking space, with annual earnings highest in San Francisco and Boston. As we manage everything from connecting hosts and renters to managing payments - there's little else for hosts to do other than 10 minutes work signing up and starting to make passive income off their monthly parking. With 66% of all occupied housing units in the United States having a garage or carport - there's a huge opportunity to boost your income in 2025 by using your parking space, garage or carport as a side hustle. Top Cities for Renting Out Parking on Spacer: *All costs are based on average monthly parking rates. Sam, a San Francisco resident, began using Spacer several years ago to generate passive income from three unused parking spaces. Earning $300 per space, Sam makes $900 monthly and $10,800 annually. He also rents out 12 parking spaces through other means, earning a total of $54,000 in passive income each year! Manuela, who is living in Central Boston, began renting out four parking spaces at the property she now owns, generating $12,000 a year to help cover her real estate taxes. She explains, 'I live near Boston Medical Center (BMC), Massachusetts General Hospital and just two stops from downtown and the financial district. Parking is a significant issue in Boston due to its scarcity, so my parking spaces are in high demand.'
