Opinions and Responses

About the iBus Route Change

I saw a flyer from a certain political party about the i-Bus route changes starting in spring. It appeared that the circular routes would be reduced and the number of services would also be cut. I hope more effort will be put into the i-Bus and other transportation means for Older Adults, rather than projects like the Giants Town Stadium.
We are aware of the annual deficit subsidies and driver shortages, but since the i-Bus is a very important means of transportation for Older Adults, we hope something can be done about it.
Are there any considerations for alternative means such as shared taxis to address the inconvenience caused to areas affected by the recent i-Bus route changes and service reductions?

Response

Regarding the route map (draft) based on the i-Bus Phase III Review Policy, which was inquired about, it was created in response to a request from the route bus operators running the i-Bus to reduce the number of i-Bus operations due to reasons such as the "serious shortage of drivers for shared bus operators." Discussions were held within the "Inagi City Regional Public Transportation Council," composed of representatives from each Neighborhood Association, each citizen group, bus operators, and the police, to address necessary matters for realizing transportation services suited to local conditions. These discussions were based on the surrounding conditions of regional public transportation, such as the "serious shortage of shared bus operators' drivers" and the "utilization of i-Bus boarding and alighting surveys conducted so far." Taking into account citizen needs and aiming to minimize the impact of service reductions or abolitions as much as possible, the council deliberated and decided on nine policies in total, including "review of long routes," "review of overlapping routes with route buses," and "consideration of routes that allow travel to distant places by transferring to route buses." This route map was created based on the "Inagi City Community Bus Phase III Review Policy."
Also, in the "Review Policy for the Third Phase of Inagi City Community Bus," the policy for "considering alternative means such as shared taxis" is established under "consideration of new means of transportation," and a demonstration experiment is planned for fiscal year 2025.

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