SEIKA, Kyoto Pref. -- Sonoko Umemura, an official at the Kansai Economic Federation in Osaka, reserves a car by mobile phone when she travels to Kansai Science City so that she can drive to research centers scattered across an area not well served by the public transportation system.
Umemura, who used to rely on taxis to get around the district, is one of those who welcomes a car-sharing service introduced in early November, the first phase of a pilot project for new transport systems tailored to user needs.
The project, which also features an on-demand bus service, was entrusted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to Kansai Research Institute, which manages the science park.