Kyushu MaaS, a next-generation mobility service jointly developed by transportation operators in the seven prefectures of Kyushu, Japan, will launch on August 1, 2024.

Kyushu MaaS is a service that provides reservation, payment services, and digital tickets for public transportation in collaboration with land, sea, and air transportation operators in the Kyushu region and local governments. More than 80 companies and organizations are participating, and the service will launch on August 1.

The service allows users to search for routes by combining various modes of transportation through an app. It also links to tourism and accommodation information, allowing users to check delay and congestion information for each transportation provider. In particular, the "All Kyushu Pass," which allows unlimited use of railways, express buses, and city buses within the Kyushu region, is a new product for inbound tourists, and is expected to improve convenience.

Governors from each prefecture in Kyushu attended a press conference held on June 4th, where the logo for Kyushu MaaS was unveiled.

Junichi Kuratomi, chairman of the Kyushu Economic Federation, stated, "We will work together with the government and private sectors to provide a service that is convenient and easy to use for both daily life and tourism."

Ahead of its launch on August 1, Kyushu MaaS has opened its official website and SNS accounts, and participating companies will collaborate to promote app usage.

What is MaaS?

MaaS stands for "Mobility as a Service."

It is a next-generation transportation service that integrates various technologies such as autonomous driving and AI with existing transportation modes and services.

MaaS first appeared in Sweden in the early 2010s and is currently gaining popularity worldwide. In Japan, various regions are promoting the adoption of MaaS, and Kyushu MaaS is considered one of the leading MaaS services in the country.

Services Provided by Kyushu MaaS

Kyushu MaaS provides the following services:

• Integrated search and reservation of various modes of transportation: The app allows users to search and book various modes of transportation in the Kyushu region, including railways, buses, taxis, and flights.
• Digital tickets: Users can purchase tickets for each transportation provider through the app and use digital tickets instead of paper tickets.
• Check delay and congestion information: Real-time delay and congestion information for each transportation provider can be checked.
• Tourism information provision: Provides tourism information, accommodation information, etc. in the Kyushu region.
• Payment function: Transportation fares, entrance fees for tourist facilities, etc. can be paid through the app.

Expected Effects of Kyushu MaaS

Kyushu MaaS is expected to bring the following benefits:

• Improved convenience: The app allows users to integrate various modes of transportation, making travel more convenient.
• Tourism activation: Providing tourism information in the Kyushu region and booking accommodation facilities is expected to help attract tourists.
• Regional economic revitalization: It is expected to contribute to the revitalization of the transportation and tourism industries in the Kyushu region.
• Environmental protection: It can encourage the use of public transportation, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.

Kyushu MaaS is expected to greatly contribute to the development of the transportation and tourism industries in the Kyushu region. It is expected that more regions will adopt MaaS in the future.