Nishinomiya’s First Self-Driving Bus Is Coming and Rides Are First-Come First-Served

It looks like Nishinomiya’s first self-driving bus is going to start running.
(Thanks to Sasako & Iroha @ Nishi2 SP, Hank, and Aki-chan for the info)

Here’s the bus that will be running↓

From materials by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

It’s see-through, so it looks easy to see out of〜

It’s a bus called the self-driving compact EV bus “GSM8”. Its top speed seems to be 20km. A safe speed, then.

Running dates: April 5 (Fri) and 6 (Sat) 

Route: Around Koshien

This initiative isn’t by Hanshin Bus, but by Hanshin Electric Railway〜.

The route it will run↓

There are two sections:

• LaLaport Koshien → In front of UR Hama-Koshien Danchi Central Meeting Hall
• In front of UR Hama-Koshien Danchi Central Meeting Hall → LaLaport Koshien

You can ride one of these.

The number of passengers is 140(probably)

How to Ride

Believe it or not, you can ride this driverless bus on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Dates: April 5 (Fri) and 6 (Sat) 
• Participation fee: Free
• How to participate: Numbered tickets will be handed out on-site from 8:45 a.m. each day (first-come, first-served; capacity of 7 people per ride)
  • Numbered ticket distribution locations:
    • LaLaport Koshien G Parking Lot: Tickets for Section 1 (departing from LaLaport Koshien G Parking Lot and going to the front of UR Hama-Koshien Danchi Central Meeting Hall)
    • In front of UR Hama-Koshien Danchi Central Meeting Hall: Tickets for Section 2 (departing from the front of UR Hama-Koshien Danchi Central Meeting Hall and going to LaLaport Koshien G Parking Lot)
• Notes:
  • You may ride only once per day per section
  • All passengers must line up together for numbered tickets
  • Riders must be age 3 or older (preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian)

The ride takes 15 minutes〜.

Finally

The sudden announcement of self-driving buses came as a surprise〜. This one is said to be Level 2 autonomous driving, meaning there is a driver on board while the system automatically handles steering, acceleration, and braking〜. I’m also curious when it will be put into practical use〜.

※Sasako & Iroha @ Nishi2 SP, Hank, and Aki-chan, thank you for the information!!
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