Busca Navi × Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME: Provides 'Early Departure Alert' Function to Prevent Bus Early Departures

NAVITIME JAPAN Co., Ltd. (President & Representative Director: Keisuke Onishi; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) will provide an 'Early Departure Alert' function in its bus-dedicated car navigation app 'Busca Navi' to prevent early departures (departure earlier than scheduled time) for shared buses (route buses, highway buses, regular tour buses, etc.). The service is scheduled to begin around August 2026.

In recent years, the bus industry has faced a severe driver shortage, leading to the hiring of inexperienced personnel and their rapid deployment. Meanwhile, 'early departure' is prohibited under the 'Passenger Motor Vehicle Transportation Business Regulations,' and even one second of early departure can be subject to administrative sanctions, requiring strict time management. By systemizing operations that previously relied on driver proficiency and individual awareness, and realizing 'compliance through mechanisms,' the company aims to reduce the burden on the field and maintain the safety of regional transportation infrastructure.

This function uses route information (routes, stops, times) registered in the large sightseeing bus route sheet creation tool 'Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME' to display an alert on the 'Busca Navi' app when the departure time is earlier than scheduled, preventing early departure.

By integrating 'Busca Navi' and 'Route Sheet Cloud,' the app provides navigation according to approved routes and schedules, and displays the 'Early Departure Alert,' supporting on-time operation along the correct route, reducing driver burden, and helping operators comply with regulations.

To use this function, a contract for the 'Route Sheet Cloud Link Plan' in 'Busca Navi' and an optional contract for the 'Shared Mode' in 'Route Sheet Cloud' are required.

This function has been adopted by West Japan JR Bus Co., Ltd. and JR Bus Kanto Co., Ltd.

Details of 'Early Departure Alert' Function

Register route information (route, stops, times) in 'Route Sheet Cloud,' select the operating route in 'Busca Navi,' and start navigation.

When the driver departs from each stop, if it is even one second earlier than the registered time, an 'Early Departure Alert' is displayed on the screen to prevent early departure.

During operation (before and after stopping at a stop), the app visualizes whether the estimated arrival at the next stop is ahead of schedule (early arrival) or delayed, using colors and text. The estimated time is predicted based on real-time traffic conditions.

What is 'Shared Mode'?

'Shared Mode' is an optional service that integrates 'Busca Navi' and 'Route Sheet Cloud' to provide functions specialized for general shared passenger transport operators.

・Route map creation support function

'Route Sheet Cloud' enables creation and editing of operation routes considering large vehicle restrictions, addition of necessary information for route maps, and batch output of route map maps. This significantly reduces the workload for planning regular tour routes and creating documents for approval applications for new regular route services.

・Navigation of approved routes in 'Busca Navi'

The app appropriately guides stops on shared bus-only roads and expressway stops that are not guided by general mapping apps. If the vehicle deviates from the operation route, an alert is immediately issued, and 'return guidance (recovery guidance) to the original approved route' is provided to prevent unintended off-route operation.

・Real-time visualization of operation plans

'Route Sheet Cloud' visualizes real-time differences (early arrival/delay) between the approved route and timetable of the operating route, supporting grasp of operation status and accurate operation.

・Efficient data maintenance with GTFS data

Timetable and stop data can be imported in bulk from standard bus information format (GTFS), etc., significantly reducing the data creation burden on administrators and enabling the latest operation plans to be deployed to the field.

Related Press Release

・2026/1/16: 'Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME' provides route map creation support function for shared buses, supporting operational efficiency.

● About bus-dedicated car navigation app 'Busca Navi'

Japan's first large bus-dedicated car navigation app. It provides route guidance considering nationwide traffic regulations and navigation considering real-time traffic congestion. By using approved routes linked from 'Route Sheet Cloud' directly for navigation, it supports safe and accurate operation without route errors.

▶ App introduction site

▶ iOS

▶ Android OS

● About 'Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME'

'Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME' is a SaaS-type web service for travel agencies and bus operators. It enables optimal route search and fare calculation combining vehicles (large, medium, small, commuter) with public transport, walking, and cycling, supporting digitalization of itinerary creation and quotation tasks for individual/group travel, MICE, etc., and improving efficiency of travel and bus-related operations. It can also be linked with the navigation app 'Busca Navi' that considers nationwide large bus traffic regulations.

・'Route Sheet Cloud by NAVITIME' introduction page

・Inquiry form about usage

'NAVITIME' is a trademark or registered trademark of NAVITIME JAPAN Co., Ltd.

Other company names and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.