Yamato Transport and Okushiri Town in Hokkaido began a trial operation of a mixed passenger and cargo public ride-sharing service using Yamato Transport's delivery vans on August 29th.
<Scenes from the trial run>
By establishing a flexible operational system that combines logistics and passenger transport, we aim to eliminate the time-based "transportation gaps" unique to remote islands, providing a new means of transportation that supports the movement of local residents and tourists.
Okushiri Town is an isolated island in the Sea of Japan off the southwestern coast of Hokkaido, with a population of approximately 2100. The elderly population rate is around 41%, making securing transportation for daily necessities such as shopping, medical appointments, and sightseeing for tourists an urgent issue. Currently, there is only one taxi company on the island, and buses run only nine times a day, resulting in a significant "transportation gap" in terms of time.
In response to this situation, Okushiri Town and Yamato Transport are working to create a sustainable mobility support system by utilizing the "Public Ridesharing System (Paid Passenger Transportation using Private Vehicles)" and combining the resources of local vehicles, personnel, and logistics.
The demonstration will be conducted as part of the "Okushiri Island Residents' Mutual Support 'Island Ride-Sharing' Demonstration Project," which was selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Emergency Measures to Eliminate 'Transportation Gap' Project (FY2025 'Transportation Gap' Elimination and Redesign Comprehensive Implementation Project)." A demonstration of a resident-participatory model in which townspeople serve as drivers as a side job is also scheduled to begin in September 2025.
<Flowchart of the trial operation>
■ Overview of the demonstration operation
Period: August 29, 2025 to the end of December 2025 (tentative)
Operating hours: 8:00-19:00
Fare: The service will be free of charge during the trial period.
Vehicles and drivers:
1. Yamato Transport's delivery van vehicles *Scheduled to obtain a general freight trucking business license by September 2025
Yamato Transport's sales drivers will utilize their free time during daytime business hours to operate combined passenger and cargo transport services.
2. Town-owned vehicles or town-leased vehicles *Scheduled to begin in September 2025
Local residents participate as drivers as a side job and a way to contribute to the community, mainly providing transportation for tourists and residents during the evening and nighttime hours.
Users: Okushiri town residents, tourists, etc.
Service area: All of Okushiri Island
Reservation method: Telephone reservations only (Reservations accepted at: Yamato Transport Okushiri Sales Office TEL: 01397-2-2611)
Reservation hours: 8:00 AM - 19:00 PM
Reservation deadline: Morning flight the next day → 19:00 PM the day before Afternoon flight → Morning of the day *Reservations may not be possible depending on the flight situation.
Operation management system: Roll calls before and after the start and end of shifts, alcohol checks, operation records, daily vehicle inspections, etc.
