Kyoto and Seville address urban transit congestion

In Kyoto, Japan, officials and business leaders are addressing critical bus congestion caused by overtourism. The saturation of the transit system is impacting residents, workers, and students. Tomomitsu Morishima, president of Ritsumeikan University, noted that students and faculty often have to wait for multiple buses to pass before finding space, a situation that may influence university selection and regional living patterns.

Proposed solutions under discussion include the implementation of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, articulated buses, or other non-rail transport systems. The Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry is evaluating routes that could connect major areas like Kinkaku-ji to the south and east.

Meanwhile, in Andalusia, Spain, authorities are finalizing alternative studies for the expansion of Metro Line 2. The goal is to create a metropolitan connection that reaches the Aljarafe region, specifically linking Camas, Castilleja, and Tomares. The current study, which aims to update a 2011 plan, is expected to conclude in 2026, with construction not anticipated before 2030.