Koga City launches second autonomous bus demonstration

Koga City in Fukuoka Prefecture is conducting its second demonstration run of the “Jidousha Unten Noruto” autonomous bus service. The project aims to establish a sustainable regional public transportation model to address driver shortages and the needs of an aging population.

The service utilizes a semi-demand system where the bus follows a fixed route but only stops at stations where reservations have been made. This allows for seamless integration with the existing “Noruto” AI on-demand transport system. The demonstration involves Level 2 autonomous driving, with trained drivers on board ready to take manual control if necessary.

General public test rides are scheduled from October 19 to November 24, 2026, covering a 3.7 km route between Shishibu Station East Exit and Cosmoskan Mae. The rides are free of charge and require prior reservation via app, LINE, or telephone. Following the public phase, the project will move into an AI learning driving period from December 2026 to January 2027.