Yutoku Bus and JR Kyushu Launch Modal Mix Pilot Project; High School Students Design Promotional Materials

Yutoku Automotive Co., Ltd. (Yutoku Bus) and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) are conducting a 'modal mix' pilot project again this year to improve convenience on the Yutoku Bus Tara Line and the JR Kyushu Nagasaki Main Line (between Hizen-Kashima and Hizen-Oura stations). Last year's pilot saw success, with approximately 70% of participating parents reporting a reduction in pick-up frequency. This year, the project will be extended to four months, and as a new initiative, students from the 'Kashima City High School Advertising Division' will handle flyer designs to promote usage from a youth perspective. The project runs from July 1 to October 31, 2026. It is open to students holding a JR Kyushu commuter pass for the section, with a flat fare of 200 yen within the section. Passengers can use the service by presenting their pass when disembarking. In Saga Prefecture, the rise of a car-dependent society has reduced public transport usage, forcing reliance on parental pick-ups. This experiment aims to create a seamless rail-bus environment to improve student convenience, reduce parental burden, and maintain local public transport.