EDITORIALS
Public transportation without route maps or timetables? Minamihoro Town "Airto" begins operation with Domingo design!
On October 1, 2021, a new public transportation system called "Airito," which is completely different from conventional buses and cabs, will start operation in the town of Minamihoro, Hokkaido. Domingo was involved in its design, but before introducing it, what exactly is new about this "Airto"?
In fact, this "Airto" does not have a route map or timetable like a bus.
And it runs from anywhere to anywhere in Minami-Horo-cho like a cab.
This is made possible by the AI system.
Let's take a look at the process from making a reservation.
The user first makes a reservation by phone or internet, and tells the driver his or her destination.
The "Airto" then arrives. You board and the rest of the ride takes you to your destination, but the main feature of the ride is that it is a "shared ride" when there are other people heading in the same direction at the same time of day.
In other words, when multiple users apply for "Airto," the AI calculates the route between the location of the ride and the destination location, and automatically selects an optimized route. This means that the user is not restricted to a specific stop for the ride or destination, and since the ride is shared, the fare is not as expensive as taking a cab by oneself. (The fare for "Airito" is 300 yen for adults and high school students and older, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschool children.)
Minami-Horoshima is the first municipality in Hokkaido to introduce this system.
Until now, there have been three daily bus services in Minamihoro Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there have been issues such as a fixed number of users and the time required to reach destinations. With the introduction of the "Airto", it will be possible to go to "Nampolo Onsen" whenever they want and eliminate the need to drop off and pick up students after school club activities.
This "Airto" was actually in test operation prior to October 1.
Here are some comments from residents who actually rode the train at that time.
The design depicts "Cavetch-kun", a character of Minamihoro Town, and "Rabbit Yukine", the head of Domingo's planning department, enjoying the town's scenery and azalea, the town flower, together. The design was voted on by local elementary and junior high school students in advance.
The "Airto" is expected to help solve the town's transportation problems.
We hope that the "Airto," including the design created by Domingo, will be loved by the town for many years to come!
Cavetch-kun, a character from the town of Minamihoro, full of energy
In fact, this "Airto" does not have a route map or timetable like a bus.
And it runs from anywhere to anywhere in Minami-Horo-cho like a cab.
This is made possible by the AI system.
Let's take a look at the process from making a reservation.
The user first makes a reservation by phone or internet, and tells the driver his or her destination.
Reservation call center
The "Airto" then arrives. You board and the rest of the ride takes you to your destination, but the main feature of the ride is that it is a "shared ride" when there are other people heading in the same direction at the same time of day.
Cavetch-kun getting on
In other words, when multiple users apply for "Airto," the AI calculates the route between the location of the ride and the destination location, and automatically selects an optimized route. This means that the user is not restricted to a specific stop for the ride or destination, and since the ride is shared, the fare is not as expensive as taking a cab by oneself. (The fare for "Airito" is 300 yen for adults and high school students and older, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschool children.)
Route-optimized map displayed in the car
Minami-Horoshima is the first municipality in Hokkaido to introduce this system.
Until now, there have been three daily bus services in Minamihoro Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there have been issues such as a fixed number of users and the time required to reach destinations. With the introduction of the "Airto", it will be possible to go to "Nampolo Onsen" whenever they want and eliminate the need to drop off and pick up students after school club activities.
For the time being, the service will operate with a capacity of 5 passengers per flight
The trunks for luggage are spacious
This "Airto" was actually in test operation prior to October 1.
Here are some comments from residents who actually rode the train at that time.
It's nice not to have to walk to the bus stop.
I have a limp, but it is easy to ride.
It is very helpful that I can go to the downtown area for 300 yen instead of 1 meter by cab (it would cost nearly 1,000 yen).
The "Airto" was designed in collaboration with Domingo!I have a limp, but it is easy to ride.
It is very helpful that I can go to the downtown area for 300 yen instead of 1 meter by cab (it would cost nearly 1,000 yen).
The design depicts "Cavetch-kun", a character of Minamihoro Town, and "Rabbit Yukine", the head of Domingo's planning department, enjoying the town's scenery and azalea, the town flower, together. The design was voted on by local elementary and junior high school students in advance.
The "Airto" is expected to help solve the town's transportation problems.
We hope that the "Airto," including the design created by Domingo, will be loved by the town for many years to come!
