Local route buses are in dire straits. Driver shortages are a chronic problem, and rising fuel and equipment costs are creating additional challenges for bus operators. Bus routes are facing financial difficulties not only in rural areas but also in urban areas. Route buses in major cities, like those in rural areas, are increasingly dependent on public funding. Buses are a vital means of transportation for the general public, but maintaining these routes is becoming increasingly difficult. Along with deficits, concerns about expanding public transportation gaps are spreading to urban areas as well. The reasons for the deficit include “rising diesel prices, which have caused fuel costs to rise by about 20%, and repair costs to rise by 10%. Furthermore, labor costs are a heavy burden, and it seems that subsidies alone are reaching their limit in maintaining the transportation network. A situation has arisen in which new measures are required, such as alternative services to route buses.
Some local governments are trying to solve this absurdity. Some local governments are rushing to put self-driving buses into practical use. Things get even more interesting when you expand on the ideas. Transportation services that combine electric vehicles, self-driving, and matching apps are also nearing realization. If you combine electric vehicles with self-driving, the interior structure can be designed differently from current cars. Various services can be provided in this space while transporting people to and from school using level 4 autonomous driving. For example, It’s also possible to add services that use artificial intelligence (AI) to teach students the scope and key points of study in today’s schools. Furthermore, added value could be added by providing health checks such as temperature, blood pressure, and pulse while the vehicle is in motion. It could even serve as a mobile clinic.
The elderly account for an increasing proportion of people traveling. Their needs for transportation are becoming more diverse. In some cases, large buses alone cannot satisfy these needs. Some seniors go to the supermarket, then to the doctor for chronic illnesses, and then to their hobby clubs. The challenges are declining physical strength and mobility. Various automobile manufacturers are offering a means of transportation that meets these needs in the form of “high-performance electric wheelchairs.” Modern technology makes it possible to add autonomous driving capabilities to these “high-performance electric wheelchairs.” Furthermore, matching apps could identify people’s transportation needs and provide a “high-performance electric wheelchair” dispatch service. If such services were realized within a radius of approximately 5 km, more seniors could enjoy a more enjoyable life.
