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Trains, Boats and Automobiles: MONET Participates in Tokyo’s MaaS Trial

Trains, Boats and Automobiles: MONET Participates in Tokyo’s MaaS Trial

From January 14 to 17, 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducted a test trial for multi-modal commuting in Tokyo Bay. MONET Technologies, a SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and Toyota Motor Corporation joint venture developing on-demand mobility services, was one of seven companies commissioned to participate in Tokyo’s “Trials to Build a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Implementation Model for Society.”

Boats tested as a new method for commuting in Tokyo

Boats tested as a new method for commuting in Tokyo

Multi-modal transportation includes at least two different forms of transportation, including planes, trains, automobiles and boats, for example, to achieve efficient mobility. This trial tested the use of a new Tokyo commuting option that made use of small boats ferrying from the Kachidoki pier to the Takeshiba pier in Tokyo Bay.

By operating a shuttle bus from Takeshiba pier to Japan Railways’ Hamamatsu Station, the trial tested the potential of multi-modal transport services that include boats, automobiles and trains. By making reservations in advance at the Suitown Tokyo website, commuters could ride the boats at no cost.

Boat interior

Boat interior

The pier-to-pier trip takes approximately 10 minutes

The pier-to-pier trip takes approximately 10 minutes

A shuttle bus takes commuters to a railway station

A shuttle bus takes commuters to a railway station

During the trial, riders could get on a shuttle bus near Takeshiba pier to get to Japan Railways’ Hamamatsu Station. Monitors inside the vehicle displayed the status of train operations to enable smooth transfers.

With a view to providing new multi-modal services in the future, the trial used a system that used contactless smart cards when riding boats and vehicles. The results of the trial will be evaluated to consider the construction of a MaaS model for implementation in Tokyo. Public-use viability, business potential and other aspects will be taken into consideration to examine future services.

(Original article posted on January 20, 2020)
By SoftBank News Editors