Abstract
This study examines a policy management framework for sustaining local public transport, using the Gifu City Community Bus System as a case study. In recent years, local cities in Japan have introduced various mobility measures, including demand-responsive transport, AI-based demand-responsive transport, and shared mobility services. Nevertheless, amid population decline, population aging, declining ridership, and a shortage of bus drivers, the maintenance and renewal of local public transport remain major policy challenges. In Gifu City, community buses were introduced on a trial basis in October 2006 and have since been expanded in stages. Nearly 20 years later, the system continues to operate in 20 districts. In addition, under the Regional Public Transport Convenience Enhancement Implementation Plan, measures such as strengthening trunk bus routes, improving access to urban centers, providing real-time operation information, and promoting ridership are being implemented in an integrated manner. This study analyzes this long-term institutional operation from the perspective of the PDARU cycle, consisting of Plan, Do, Assess, Report, and Utilize. It seeks to conceptualize the sustainability of local public transport not only in terms of planning, implementation, and evaluation, but also as an operational process that includes the sharing of evaluation results and subsequent institutional revision. Furthermore, this study regards Gifu City’s community bus system not as a conventional or outdated policy measure, but as an institution that has been continuously renewed through complementary transport services, digital information provision, and network integration. By comparing the Gifu case with that of Tsuruoka City, this study clarifies the characteristics of Gifu City’s approach. Finally, it discusses the extent to which PDARU can serve as an analytical perspective for future demand-responsive transport and AI-based mobility policies.
