Nagano Prefecture Bus Location System 'Bus Yoho' Service Starts with 4 Operators in Nagano Region

Artisan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chofu City, Tokyo; Representative Director: Saiki Koyama) announced that it will launch 'Bus Yoho,' a real-time bus operation information distribution service, on target bus routes in the Nagano region starting March 30, 2026 (Monday). This service is part of the 'Nagano Prefecture Bus Location System Introduction Project' commissioned by the Nagano Prefecture Public Transportation Revitalization Council.

This system is built around a real-time location information distribution platform compliant with GTFS and GTFS-RT, and will be provided as a service usable from smartphone browsers without the need for a dedicated app. It also supports notification functions via LINE and data linkage with Google Maps, contributing to the improvement of public transportation convenience.

1. Service Overview

Service Start Date

・ March 30, 2026 (Monday): Nagano Electric Railway Bus and Alpico Kotsu (Nagano city routes), all Chikuma City循环 bus routes

・ April 1, 2026 (Wednesday): 3 Nagano City bus routes, Nagano Electric Railway Bus 'Tohoku Gururin-go'

Target Operators

・ Nagano Electric Railway Bus (routes operating within Nagano City)

・ Alpico Kotsu (routes operating within Nagano City)

・ Nagano City (City Bus Shinmachi Ohara Bridge Line, Takafu Line, Kinasaki Line)

・ Chikuma City (all循環 bus routes)

2. Technical Features

GTFS / GTFS-RT Compliant Real-time Distribution Platform

・ Manages timetables and route data in compliance with the international standard format GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification)

・ Real-time distribution of bus vehicle location information via GTFS-RT, providing highly accurate estimated arrival times

・ Supports real-time operation information on Google Maps through Google integration (scheduled for sequential implementation from April 2026 onwards)

・ Automatically configurable with only a GPS terminal using patented technology

User-oriented Functions

・ Free to use from smartphone browsers, no dedicated app download required

・ Real-time guidance for bus operation information

・ Supports bus arrival notification function via LINE

・ Displays bus-related announcements (e.g., temporary service suspensions)

3. Background and Future Developments

In Nagano Prefecture, as part of promoting the development of comfortable waiting environments to realize user-friendly regional public transportation, the existing 'Shinshu Navi' bus location system functions will be terminated on March 31, 2026, and will transition to 'Bus Yoho,' which has more advanced real-time distribution capabilities.

Artisan Co., Ltd. is responsible for the development and operation of this system, ensuring stable distribution of accurate real-time data based on GTFS-RT. Moving forward, the company will continue to promote regional transportation DX, including expanding to other areas within the prefecture and improving the accuracy of arrival time predictions using AI.

4. About Artisan Co., Ltd.

Company Name

Artisan Co., Ltd.

Location

Aizawa Chofu Building 6F, 4-5-1 Fuda, Chofu City, Tokyo

Representative

Representative Director Saiki Koyama

Business Activities

Development, sales, and operation of bus location systems and SaaS for public transportation

URL

https://artisan.jp.net/

5. Contact for Inquiries

Company Name

Artisan Co., Ltd.

Department

Mobility Sales Department

Contact Persons

Kasui, Okubo

Phone

042-444-4815

Email

info@artisan.jp.net