Moovit has joined the Association for Open Data of Public Transportation (ODPT) to help launch Moovit’s commuter app in five Japanese cities.
With data from 164 transport agencies, Moovit said it is bringing “the most comprehensive transit information in one easy-to-use app” to 24 million Japanese residents in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kumamoto.
Japan’s ODPT is a cross-sectoral association of 151 organisations, including public transportation operators and ICT companies, working towards the open distribution of mass transit data across modes such as railways, buses, ferries and shared bicycles in Japan.
“As more foreign tourists visit Japan, it is our mission to provide accurate and timely information on Japan’s complex public transportation network to them,” said Ken Sakamura, chair of ODPT. “The launch of Moovit in Japan will significantly enhance services for both locals and overseas guests.”
Moovit said riders across Japan can now seamlessly plan and navigate their public transit journeys with Moovit’s free iOS, Android and Web app.
The app combines official information from local transit agencies with real-time crowdsourced updates, ensuring users receive the most accurate, up-to-date information to make informed travel decisions
It has integrated more than 54,000 stops and 3,500 lines across the five cities to be able to suggest the best routes across various urban mobility options, including buses, trains, metro, light rail, micromobility and ferries.
Users know when their bus or train will arrive, and live directions with deboarding alerts provide step-by-step guidance throughout the entire journey. Service Alerts allow riders to stay informed of disruptions on their usual routes and adjust travel plans accordingly.
“By collaborating closely with the Association for Open Data of Public Transportation we are excited to bring Moovit’s powerful mobility solutions to Japan and help millions of riders travel more efficiently,” said Ziv Kabaretti, chief of product at Moovit.
The company said it has ambitious plans for further growth in Japan, with Okinawa set to be the next city for deployment.
Introduced in 2012, Moovit now serves over 1.5 billion users in more than 3,500 cities across 112 countries, in 45 languages.
