Realization of a Linked Model Enabling Taxi Dispatch from the On-Demand Transit App 'KnowRoute'
Dennou Kotsu, Next Mobility, and Spare have realized a linked model that allows users to dispatch taxis directly from the on-demand transit app 'KnowRoute', addressing regional transit challenges.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 14:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 19:01 (292h 30m after Collected)
Dennou Kotsu Inc. (Headquarters: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Yosuke Kondo; hereinafter 'Dennou Kotsu'), Next Mobility Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Satoru Hidaka; hereinafter 'Next Mobility'), and Spare Technology Solutions Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuma Kitano; hereinafter 'Spare') are pleased to announce the realization of a linked model that enables taxi dispatch requests from the on-demand transit service app 'KnowRoute'.
This initiative aims to realize a new regional transit model that is easy for users to utilize and reasonable for operators to introduce and operate by connecting different mobility methods—on-demand transit and taxis—via a unified system.
■ Background
In recent years, the environment surrounding regional transit has changed significantly, making it difficult to address regional mobility challenges with just a single transportation method. Against the backdrop of a declining population, advancing aging, and a severe shortage of drivers, the issue of so-called 'transit deserts' has become prominent in various regions. Under these circumstances, there is a growing need to create mechanisms that sustainably support residents' mobility while effectively utilizing existing local transit resources like taxis and on-demand transit.
Dennou Kotsu has supported regional transit with taxi operators nationwide through its cloud-based taxi dispatch system 'DS'. Meanwhile, Next Mobility and Spare have worked on providing flexible mobility methods tailored to regional characteristics through the on-demand transit service 'KnowRoute'.
Given this background, the three companies have been exploring the realization of a new regional transit service that links on-demand transit and taxis. To verify its feasibility and operational effectiveness, a test assuming actual service provision was conducted in Island City, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka.
■ About This Collaboration
In this initiative, Dennou Kotsu's taxi dispatch system 'DS' is linked with the AI-utilized on-demand transit solution 'KnowRoute' provided by Next Mobility (which utilizes the AI-powered Spare Platform provided by Spare). This makes it possible for users to request a taxi dispatch on the same app in addition to using on-demand transit from the 'KnowRoute' app.
Furthermore, the setup allows taxi operators to respond to dispatch requests while continuing to use Dennou Kotsu's existing dispatch system and in-vehicle tablets. Service integration has been achieved without massive operational changes or additional burdens.
■ About the Cloud-Based Taxi Dispatch System 'DS'
The cloud-based taxi dispatch system 'DS' is a comprehensive dispatch system combining a screen for dispatch operators and an in-vehicle tablet for drivers, realizing operational efficiency for taxi operators. Currently, it is used by approximately 650 companies and roughly 23,000 taxi vehicles across all 47 prefectures nationwide.
This initiative aims to realize a new regional transit model that is easy for users to utilize and reasonable for operators to introduce and operate by connecting different mobility methods—on-demand transit and taxis—via a unified system.
■ Background
In recent years, the environment surrounding regional transit has changed significantly, making it difficult to address regional mobility challenges with just a single transportation method. Against the backdrop of a declining population, advancing aging, and a severe shortage of drivers, the issue of so-called 'transit deserts' has become prominent in various regions. Under these circumstances, there is a growing need to create mechanisms that sustainably support residents' mobility while effectively utilizing existing local transit resources like taxis and on-demand transit.
Dennou Kotsu has supported regional transit with taxi operators nationwide through its cloud-based taxi dispatch system 'DS'. Meanwhile, Next Mobility and Spare have worked on providing flexible mobility methods tailored to regional characteristics through the on-demand transit service 'KnowRoute'.
Given this background, the three companies have been exploring the realization of a new regional transit service that links on-demand transit and taxis. To verify its feasibility and operational effectiveness, a test assuming actual service provision was conducted in Island City, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka.
■ About This Collaboration
In this initiative, Dennou Kotsu's taxi dispatch system 'DS' is linked with the AI-utilized on-demand transit solution 'KnowRoute' provided by Next Mobility (which utilizes the AI-powered Spare Platform provided by Spare). This makes it possible for users to request a taxi dispatch on the same app in addition to using on-demand transit from the 'KnowRoute' app.
Furthermore, the setup allows taxi operators to respond to dispatch requests while continuing to use Dennou Kotsu's existing dispatch system and in-vehicle tablets. Service integration has been achieved without massive operational changes or additional burdens.
■ About the Cloud-Based Taxi Dispatch System 'DS'
The cloud-based taxi dispatch system 'DS' is a comprehensive dispatch system combining a screen for dispatch operators and an in-vehicle tablet for drivers, realizing operational efficiency for taxi operators. Currently, it is used by approximately 650 companies and roughly 23,000 taxi vehicles across all 47 prefectures nationwide.