Project News

As part of the efforts to improve the capacity of public transportation management of the Secretariat for Public Transport (SfPT) as a counterpart, the project plans to hold a total of two training programs in Japan.

The first training program, consisting of lectures, site visits, and trial rides, was held from January 15 to 26, 2023, with seven participants from SfPT visiting Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, and Osaka.

In the first week, the training focused on Tokyo and Yokohama in the where participants received lectures by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the City of Yokohama on policies related to the development and operation of public transportation. In addition, with the cooperation of private operators who develop and operate public transportation systems such as Tokyu Bus Corporation, Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal Corporation, and Michinori Holdings Corporation, comprehensive training was provided, including lectures, visits to facilities and offices, and trial rides.

In the second week, the participants moved to the Kansai region, mainly Kyoto and Osaka to visit Keihan Bus Company, Keihan Electric Railway Company, and Osaka Metro, who are the leading and advanced public transport companies in the Kansai region. The participants learned not only about the technical aspects of vehicles equipped with new technologies such as automated buses, electric buses, on-demand buses, and new transportation systems (AGT), but also about institutional and organizational structures such as public transportation planning, bus operation, and management.

On the last day, SfPT participants had a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Serbia in Japan and the participants discussed possible future initiatives in Belgrade, taking advantage of the learning from this training with the members of JICA.

The participants expressed their opinions for Belgrade to incorporate a wide range of public transportation management, including a review of the division of roles between the public and private sectors, improving transit flow between multiple modes of public transportation, providing operational information at terminals, stations, and bus stops, and providing safe services.

We will continue discussions with several counterparts, including SfPT, to improve public transportation services, taking into account the tips received from this training.

Lecture by MLIT

Visit to Tokyu Bus

Site Visit to Public Transportation in Yokohama

Site Visit to Keihan Automatic Driving Bus

Site Visit to Keihan EV Bus

Lecture on On-demand Bus by Osaka Metro

Site Visit to Maintenance Workshop of Osaka Metro's AGT

Courtesy Call to Embassy of Serbia