May 2024
Preparation of Bus Driver Training Manual in Rwanda
In collaboration with Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., ALMEC is actively involved in JICA's "Kigali Urban Transportation Improvement Project ." This project includes capacity development activities for stakeholders in public transport sector .
As part of the project, the Bus Driver Training Manual is currently being prepared to enhance training programs for bus drivers. Another manual developed in the past JICA Project by bus driver’s instructor of Shinki Bus Co., Ltd., a major Japanese bus operator. It has been modified to reflect local conditions in Rwanda.
Local bus operators supported to take pictures of the buses and drivers in the manual. We hope this manual will be utilized to improve both driving skill and the customer services of drivers. (May 2024)
Area of business concerned: "04 Integrated Planning for Urban and Transportation Development"
Apr. 2024
Palau's Maritime Transport to Outlying Islands
In February 2024, two ALMEC experts were dispatched to Palau for a two-week on-site mission for the "Information Collection and Study for the Public Transport Systems and Tourism Model Routes to Improve Tourist Convenience in the Republic of Palau" (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, MLIT). As part of this project, we collected information on the actual situation of maritime transport to the remote islands of Palau.
In Palau, most of the residents live on the main islands, and ship services to the five outlying states are easily affected by sea conditions, so regular services are often cancelled. In addition, ships are almost the only lifeline for the residents of the remote islands and are also seen transporting cargo and poultry.
Currently, ships are operated and managed by each state, and the only way to confirm timetables is to call the state government, which is inconvenient for tourists. In addition, there are no public buses in Palau yet at this time, and because of the large amount of luggage, most boat users have their families or colleagues provide transport to and from the boarding area.
Palau is an island country confronting climate change, and we hope to contribute to the fight against global warming by introducing environmentally friendly transportation. (Apr. 2024)
Area of business concerned: "03 Urban Transportation Planning"
Mar. 2024
Visiting Kumamoto City: Japan Study Tour for The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area
On March 5th, the trainees of the Study Tour of JICA's "The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area", visited Kumamoto City, to learn the public transport policies and services to tackle transport problems.
Kumamoto City has a higher car ownership than the Japanese average. Along with progress of the ageing and depopulation society, how to maintain the public transport service is one of the critical issue. As a remarkable countermeasure, a joint operation of several bus operators in the city has been implemented, to improve operation efficiency and passenger’s usability.
In the morning, the Kumamoto City Urban Development Bureau welcomed us and gave lectures on public transport policies and an outline of the joint operation and associated measures.
In the afternoon, the Kyushu Sanko Landmark Co.,Ltd welcomed us and introduced SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto, a commercial complex developed in the city center. This facility is intended to be a trigger of the revitalization of the central district with a well-designed “Kumamoto Sakura-machi Bus Terminal”, various commercial facilities and urban amenities. It can provide good lessons learned for the terminal development to be proposed in Nairobi and Kenya. (Mar. 2024)
Area of business concerned: "06 Planning and Implementation of Transportation Measures"
Visiting Yokohama City: Japan Study Tour for The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area
ALMEC is conducting JICA's "The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area", to improve the public bus service in Nairobi, Kenya. From 26th February to 8th March, a study tour conducted to learn road-based public transportation systems in Japan.
On February 29th, the trainees visited Enoden-Bus Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd., which gained international fame for its appearance in the opening movie of the TV Anime series "Slam Dunk." Enoden-Bus, operating a fleet of 237 buses primarily in Fujisawa, Kamakura, and Yokohama. We visited the Shonan Area office and learned about their business overview, operation management, and vehicle maintenance practices. Observing these operations provided invaluable insights for the trainees.
One of the uniqueness of public transportation in Kenya is a mix of large buses and Matatus (minibuses or SUVs), which often contribute to traffic congestion. Enoden-Bus also owns both large buses and minibuses and smaller buses are assigned to operate narrow streets. This approach presents a potential strategy for alleviating congestion in Kenya. (Mar. 2024)
Area of business concerned: "06 Planning and Implementation of Transportation Measures"
Enoden Bus: Japan Study Tour for The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area
ALMEC is conducting JICA's "The Project For Capacity Building For Bus Operation Policy And Management ㏌ Nairobi Metropolitan Area", to improve the public bus service in Nairobi, Kenya. From 26th February to 8th March, a study tour conducted to learn road-based public transportation systems in Japan.
On February 29th, the trainees visited Enoden-Bus Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd., which gained international fame for its appearance in the opening movie of the TV Anime series "Slam Dunk." Enoden-Bus, operating a fleet of 237 buses primarily in Fujisawa, Kamakura, and Yokohama. We visited the Shonan Area office and learned about their business overview, operation management, and vehicle maintenance practices. Observing these operations provided invaluable insights for the trainees.
One of the uniqueness of public transportation in Kenya is a mix of large buses and Matatus (minibuses or SUVs), which often contribute to traffic congestion. Enoden-Bus also owns both large buses and minibuses and smaller buses are assigned to operate narrow streets. This approach presents a potential strategy for alleviating congestion in Kenya. (Mar. 2024)
Area of business concerned: "06 Planning and Implementation of Transportation Measures"
Smart JAMP Project in Thailand
On March 1, 2024, the final presentation of the "FY 2023 Smart JAMP Study on Smart City Realization in the Transportation" (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
This project is conducted as a part of the "Smart City supported by Japan ASEAN Mutual Partnership (SmartJAMP)", an initiative of the Japanese government to support smart cities through Japan-ASEAN mutual cooperation with the aim of forming smart city projects that utilize Japan's advanced technologies and solutions in the field of transportation.
Joint Venture of ALMEC and Neural Group Inc. conducted the Study with the cooperation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Traffic Police Department of Royal Thai Police (RTP). We used images from the existing CCTV cameras installed on roads by BMA to verify the technology that automatically detects vehicle parked in no-parking zones, using image analysis AI originally developed by Neural.
In the final presentation, the results of the verification of detection and identification of violating vehicles were presented. BMA and the RTP discussed the next steps for possible implementation, particularly for enforcement of illegal parking vehicles. (Mar. 2024)
Area of business concerned: "06 Planning and Implementation of Transportation Measures"
Jan. 2024
The First High-speed Railway in Southeast Asia
During my business trip to Jakarta in January 2024, I took the Indonesian high-speed rail commenced in October 2023.
Halim Station, 10 km away from the city center of Jakarta, can be accessed by LRT and buses. The trains ran at as fast as 350km/h outside Jakarta, and it took only 30 minutes to reach Padalarang Station, about 120km away from Jakarta. I transferred to a local train exclusive for high-speed rail users that took us to Bandung Station in 20 minutes.
Even though both terminal stations are far from the city center of Jakarta and Bandung, feeder services are provided to make the journey more convenient and comfortable. It was impressive to see Indonesian passengers simply enjoying the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia by taking selfies in front of the signboard reading "Current Speed: 350km/h".
The high-speed railway is planned to extend to Surabaya. I am excited to see how this new transport system will change people's lifestyles and regional connectivity in Indonesia. (Jan. 2024)
Tomohiro Ito
