Society Toyooka City opens school buses to residents

The city's new service makes it possible for local residents and others to ride the school bus during weekday morning commutes, which operate on schedule. Fares are 300 yen (about $1.80) or 500 yen (about $3) depending on the route. By transferring to a local bus along the way, passengers can use the service to travel into the city center for hospital visits and other purposes. Drivers are secured through a bus-style Japanese ride-sharing system. Under this framework, a bus company obtains authorization as a taxi operator under eased permit requirements, while local residents serve as drivers for shared transportation services. Using this system, the Toyooka Municipal Government and Zentan Bus Co., based in the Hyogo Prefecture city of Yabu, started operating an on-demand community ride-sharing service using minivans, called "Takeno-ru," in October 2025. Fourteen residents in their 30s to 70s are registered as drivers.

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