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Public Transport with No Route Map or Timetable? Nanporo Town's "Ai-Route" Launches with a Domingo Design!
On October 1, 2021, a new form of public transportation, completely different from conventional buses and taxis, called "Ai-Route" began operating in Nanporo, Hokkaido. Domingo was in charge of its design, but before we get into that, what exactly is so new about this "Ai-Route"?
Actually, this "Ai-Route" has no route map or timetable like a bus.
And, like a taxi, it can take you from anywhere to anywhere within Nanporo Town.
What makes this possible is an AI system.
Let's take a look at the process, starting from booking.
First, users make a reservation by phone or online, providing their destination at that time.
Then, the "Ai-Route" vehicle arrives. After you get on, it takes you to your destination. A major feature is that if there are other people heading in the same direction at the same time, you will be "ride-sharing."
In other words, when multiple users book the "Ai-Route," the AI calculates the route between their pickup locations and destinations, automatically selecting the most optimized path. This means pickup and drop-off points are not restricted to bus stops, and because of ride-sharing, the fare is not as expensive as taking a taxi alone. (The fare for "Ai-Route" is 300 yen for adults and high school students, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschool children.)
Nanporo is the first municipality in Hokkaido to introduce this system.
Previously, a shuttle bus operated in Nanporo Town with three services a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it faced issues such as having a fixed user base and long travel times to destinations. With the introduction of "Ai-Route," people can now go to "Nanporo Onsen" whenever they want, and parents may no longer need to pick up their children after school club activities.
This "Ai-Route" actually had a trial run before its official launch on October 1.
Here are some comments from town residents who rode it during the trial:
With the hope that "children will never forget the scenery of Nanporo Town," the design depicts Nanporo's mascot, "Kyabetchi-kun," and the director of Domingo's planning department, "Rabbit Yukine," enjoying the town's scenery and its official flower, the azalea. There are two vehicles, each with a different design, which were chosen beforehand by a vote among local elementary and junior high school students.
Expectations are high for Nanporo Town's "Ai-Route" to solve the town's transportation challenges.
We hope it, along with the design by Domingo, will become a long-loved presence in the town!
Nanporo Town's energetic mascot, "Kyabetchi-kun"
Actually, this "Ai-Route" has no route map or timetable like a bus.
And, like a taxi, it can take you from anywhere to anywhere within Nanporo Town.
What makes this possible is an AI system.
Let's take a look at the process, starting from booking.
First, users make a reservation by phone or online, providing their destination at that time.
The reservation call center
Then, the "Ai-Route" vehicle arrives. After you get on, it takes you to your destination. A major feature is that if there are other people heading in the same direction at the same time, you will be "ride-sharing."
Kyabetchi-kun getting on board
In other words, when multiple users book the "Ai-Route," the AI calculates the route between their pickup locations and destinations, automatically selecting the most optimized path. This means pickup and drop-off points are not restricted to bus stops, and because of ride-sharing, the fare is not as expensive as taking a taxi alone. (The fare for "Ai-Route" is 300 yen for adults and high school students, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschool children.)
A map with the optimized route is displayed inside the vehicle
Nanporo is the first municipality in Hokkaido to introduce this system.
Previously, a shuttle bus operated in Nanporo Town with three services a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it faced issues such as having a fixed user base and long travel times to destinations. With the introduction of "Ai-Route," people can now go to "Nanporo Onsen" whenever they want, and parents may no longer need to pick up their children after school club activities.
For the time being, each vehicle will operate with a capacity of 5 passengers
The trunk also has plenty of space for luggage
This "Ai-Route" actually had a trial run before its official launch on October 1.
Here are some comments from town residents who rode it during the trial:
・It's helpful not to have to walk to a bus stop.
・I have bad legs, but the vehicle is easy to get on.
・A taxi to the town center costs nearly 1,000 yen, so it's great that I can go for just 300 yen.
And this "Ai-Route" features a vehicle design in collaboration with Domingo!・I have bad legs, but the vehicle is easy to get on.
・A taxi to the town center costs nearly 1,000 yen, so it's great that I can go for just 300 yen.
With the hope that "children will never forget the scenery of Nanporo Town," the design depicts Nanporo's mascot, "Kyabetchi-kun," and the director of Domingo's planning department, "Rabbit Yukine," enjoying the town's scenery and its official flower, the azalea. There are two vehicles, each with a different design, which were chosen beforehand by a vote among local elementary and junior high school students.
Expectations are high for Nanporo Town's "Ai-Route" to solve the town's transportation challenges.
We hope it, along with the design by Domingo, will become a long-loved presence in the town!
