<Survey Report> Urban Mobility Challenges Revealed: Survey Conducted in Osaka Prefecture

Osaka Metro Group expanded its on-demand bus service area by 8 new zones, commencing service across all 24 wards of Osaka City on March 26, 2026. Remaining committed to the spirit of 'human-friendly transportation,' the company continues to work on community development centered around mobility.

Japan is currently facing various lifestyle challenges due to a declining birthrate, an aging population, and diversified lifestyles. Objective data and resident sentiment are crucial to solving these issues. Consequently, the company conducted a 'Survey on Public Transportation' targeting residents of Osaka Prefecture to gain important guidelines for urban planning by investigating their daily mobility challenges and expectations for new transit options like on-demand buses.

The survey results indicated that the most common mobility challenge was 'the nearest station is too far' at 32.4%. This trend was identical among Osaka City residents, highlighting that the last-mile problem remains a significant issue even in urban environments. Regarding on-demand buses, the most positive response was 'I can leave the transportation of elderly family members (e.g., for doctor visits) to the service' at 63.9%. This suggests that the last-mile challenge is not only an issue for the traveler but also for caregivers. Furthermore, more than 60% of respondents stated that the service, now operating across all 24 wards, would improve living conditions for the elderly, caregivers, and families raising children. It is clear that there is high anticipation for this new mobility solution to solve challenges across a wide range of generations.

1. Is the Last Mile a Challenge Even in Urban Areas? 32.4% Report 'Nearest Station is Too Far' Among 463 men and women aged 15-79 living in Osaka Prefecture, 60% (278 people) reported feeling mobility-related challenges. Of those, the most cited challenge was 'nearest station is too far' (32.4%). While public transport in Osaka is more developed than in other prefectures, many people still perceive it as a challenge. This remained the top concern even among Osaka City residents, highlighting the urban last-mile issue.

2. 64.0% of Osaka City Residents Know About 'On-Demand Buses' When asked about awareness of the on-demand bus service, 64.0% of Osaka City residents were aware of it, compared to 40.8% for the entire prefecture. The service is available to residents outside of Osaka City as well.

3. Over Half Expect Convenience for Daily Short Trips, from Transporting Others to Shopping After providing an explanation of the on-demand bus service to participants, the most positive response regarding their sentiment was 'I can leave the transportation of elderly family members to the service' at 63.9%. This confirms that the last-mile issue is significant for caregivers as well. This was followed by 'Convenient for errands like shopping' at 58.1% and 'Convenient to travel from home to the nearest station' at 54.4%. More than half of the participants indicated they have high expectations for the service for daily short-distance travel.

*Note: What is an On-Demand Bus? Unlike conventional fixed-route/fixed-schedule buses, on-demand buses accept reservations via smartphone, and an AI constructs efficient routes for travel. Fares are set at 210 yen or 300 yen depending on the area.