Koga Software Integrates Ishikari City's Vast Transportation Network with a "One System" Approach
Koga Software Co., Ltd. has provided its AI on-demand transportation system "Koko Demand Bus" to Ishikari City, Hokkaido, integrating the city's extensive transportation network into a single system. This enables efficient management of diverse needs such as daily commutes, school/work travel, and support for depopulated areas, allowing residents to make wide-area transfers with a single booking.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 03:16 (493h 37m after Collected)
Koga Software Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shoji Koga) announces that it has provided its AI on-demand transportation system "Koko Demand Bus" to Ishikari City, Hokkaido (Mayor: Ryuko Kato).
We are pleased to announce the realization of a "full package integration of the transportation network," which unifies the management and operation of multiple routes running in the city, commuter, Hamamasu, Atsuta, Yawata, Oyafune Higashi, Honcho, and Hanakawa areas into a single system.
## ■ Background: A Digital Transportation Infrastructure Connecting the Vast Ishikari City
Ishikari City, Hokkaido, has diverse regional characteristics, ranging from urban to agricultural and fishing villages, and boasts a very long city area of approximately 70km from north to south. Traditionally, transportation methods were fragmented for each region and purpose (daily life, commuting, schooling). Koga Software's "Koko Demand Bus" system has integrated these into a single platform.
The biggest feature is that it simultaneously controls different transportation needs—"daily mobility," "commuting to work/school," and "support for depopulated areas (Atsuta/Hamamasu)"—within one system.
## ■ Main Routes and Services Under Integrated Management
* **City Demand:** Supports daily life in central urban areas such as Oyafuri, Ryokuen-dai, and Hanakawa.
* **Commuter Shuttle/Transfer Service:** Commuter transportation for employees working at companies in the Ishikari Bay New Port area.
* **Hamamasu Demand:** Hamamasu regional line circulating within the Hamamasu area and the Hamamasu-Atsuta line connecting Hamamasu and Atsuta.
* **Honcho Hanakawa Line:** A route directly connecting the Oyafune Higashi/Honcho area with the central urban area.
* **Atsuta Hanakawa Line (NEW! Service starts April 1):** A route directly connecting the Atsuta/Yawata area with the central urban area.
## ■ Key Points Achieved by the "One System"
### 1. Seamless Travel from Hamamasu to Hanakawa with "One Booking" (Wide-Area Seamless Booking)
For wide-area travel needs spanning multiple routes, from the Hamamasu area to the Atsuta area, and then to the Hanakawa area, a mechanism has been established to allow collective booking of transfers on the system. This enables residents to complete their journey without confusion, regardless of their destination, using a single app or phone.
### 2. Hybrid Operation for Commuting and Daily Life, Different Purposes
"Commuter Shuttle/Transfer Service" for those working at companies in the Ishikari Bay New Port area and "City Demand" supporting residents' daily shopping and hospital visits are operated within the same system. AI efficiently manages operations with fewer vehicles through a highly accurate matching algorithm.
### 3. Flexible Implementation of Alternative Transportation Following Route Bus Abolition
The "Atsuta Hanakawa Line," which will start operation on April 1, 2026, serves as an alternative to private bus routes. It provides on-demand (reservation-based) transportation from the Atsuta area to the city hall, Ishikari Hospital, and commercial facilities (Co-op Sapporo Ishikari Store).
We are pleased to announce the realization of a "full package integration of the transportation network," which unifies the management and operation of multiple routes running in the city, commuter, Hamamasu, Atsuta, Yawata, Oyafune Higashi, Honcho, and Hanakawa areas into a single system.
## ■ Background: A Digital Transportation Infrastructure Connecting the Vast Ishikari City
Ishikari City, Hokkaido, has diverse regional characteristics, ranging from urban to agricultural and fishing villages, and boasts a very long city area of approximately 70km from north to south. Traditionally, transportation methods were fragmented for each region and purpose (daily life, commuting, schooling). Koga Software's "Koko Demand Bus" system has integrated these into a single platform.
The biggest feature is that it simultaneously controls different transportation needs—"daily mobility," "commuting to work/school," and "support for depopulated areas (Atsuta/Hamamasu)"—within one system.
## ■ Main Routes and Services Under Integrated Management
* **City Demand:** Supports daily life in central urban areas such as Oyafuri, Ryokuen-dai, and Hanakawa.
* **Commuter Shuttle/Transfer Service:** Commuter transportation for employees working at companies in the Ishikari Bay New Port area.
* **Hamamasu Demand:** Hamamasu regional line circulating within the Hamamasu area and the Hamamasu-Atsuta line connecting Hamamasu and Atsuta.
* **Honcho Hanakawa Line:** A route directly connecting the Oyafune Higashi/Honcho area with the central urban area.
* **Atsuta Hanakawa Line (NEW! Service starts April 1):** A route directly connecting the Atsuta/Yawata area with the central urban area.
## ■ Key Points Achieved by the "One System"
### 1. Seamless Travel from Hamamasu to Hanakawa with "One Booking" (Wide-Area Seamless Booking)
For wide-area travel needs spanning multiple routes, from the Hamamasu area to the Atsuta area, and then to the Hanakawa area, a mechanism has been established to allow collective booking of transfers on the system. This enables residents to complete their journey without confusion, regardless of their destination, using a single app or phone.
### 2. Hybrid Operation for Commuting and Daily Life, Different Purposes
"Commuter Shuttle/Transfer Service" for those working at companies in the Ishikari Bay New Port area and "City Demand" supporting residents' daily shopping and hospital visits are operated within the same system. AI efficiently manages operations with fewer vehicles through a highly accurate matching algorithm.
### 3. Flexible Implementation of Alternative Transportation Following Route Bus Abolition
The "Atsuta Hanakawa Line," which will start operation on April 1, 2026, serves as an alternative to private bus routes. It provides on-demand (reservation-based) transportation from the Atsuta area to the city hall, Ishikari Hospital, and commercial facilities (Co-op Sapporo Ishikari Store).