News#13 METRAP-Maputo Counterparts Gain Insights from Japan's Transportation Expertise (Training in Japan, June 8th to 22nd , 2024)

The METRAP-Maputo project provided a training program in Japan from the 8th to the 22nd of June 2024. Eight trainees participated in the training, representing various organizations under the Maputo Municipal Council, the municipal public transport company, and a transport authority as described below:

- Maputo Municipal Council - Municipal Directory of Transport and Traffic (DMTT)
- Maputo Municipal Council - Municipal Directory of Urban Infrastructure (DMIU)
- Maputo Municipal Council - Municipal Directory of Territorial Planning and Construction (DMOTC)
- Municipal Public Transport Company of Maputo (EMTPM)
- Maputo Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT)

The three main objectives of the training were aligned with the METRAP-Maputo project's three outcomes. At the end of the training, the participants prepared presentations highlighting their key learnings and how to apply them for the improvement of public transportation in Maputo.

The training program covered a wide range of activities, from seminars on JICA's transport sector work and Japanese transport systems, to site visits to terminals, bus operators, and new town development. The participants were able to observe good practices and innovative solutions that can potentially be replicated in Maputo.

The training included seminars and lectures from various organizations. The Policy Research Institute for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (PRILIT) provided a seminar on PMUS/SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) with examples of mobility plans drawn up in European cities in comparison with Japanese experience. The lecture by the Nagoya City provided an understanding of Japan's transportation planning from the example of Nagoya City, and experience of the operation and management of the Nagoya Guideway Bus. There was also a lecture by the Meisei University on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) through Japan's New Town policies, plans, history and characteristics of TOD concepts, benefits, citizen participation and citizen impressions, using Tama New Town in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area as an example.

Some of the notable takeaways also included the possibility of reorganizing terminal infrastructure like the Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal (Busta) to better distribute traffic and reduce congestion in Maputo's central area. The Eagle Bus which is a bus operating company introduced how improving bus services through the PDCA cycle (plan-do-check-act) inspired the creation of systems that allow the measurement of various operational information, enabling the visualization of problems by using data and creation of solutions. The Location Mind company provided a seminar on advanced IT solutions for transport planning. The lecture on the use of GTFS by MoDip and lessons on bus operation and maintenance by the Niigata BRT were also identified as valuable inputs for improving Maputo's public transport system.

The training has provided the participants with knowledge and inspiration to enhance mobility in Maputo. Overall, equipping the Maputo representatives with new ideas and strategies to share when return to Maputo and to tackle the city's transportation challenges and work towards a more efficient and sustainable mobility future.

DMTT: Municipal Directory of Mobility Transit and Transport
DMIU: Municipal Directory of Urban Infrastructure
DMOTC: Municipal Directory of Territorial Planning and Construction
EMTPM: The Municipal Public Transport Company of Maputo
AMT: Maputo Metropolitan Transport Agency
GTFS: The General Transit Feed Specification, a common format for public transportation schedules and associated geographic information