Why Japanese buses use human hair in fare collection boxes

[thomas]

The secret to making fare collection in Japanese buses more efficient is human hair, particularly Indian people's hair.

Using human hair for fare boxes has reportedly been something Japanese buses have been doing for decades. Some bus companies experimented with different materials in the past, including plastic and animal hair, but they found more success after using human hair. The Japanese media outlet noted that Chinese people's hair was used in Japanese buses. Still, bus companies seem to prefer Indian people's hair as they have "just the right firmness and electrostatic properties for the job."

Am I the only one who doesn't know whether to be impressed or revolted?

Why buses in Japan use human hair in their fare collection boxes

The secret to making fare collection in Japanese buses more efficient turns out to be human hair — particularly Indian people's hair. Key details: Using human hair for fare boxes has reportedly been something Japanese buses have been doing for decades now. The Japanese media outlet noted that...

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