Abstract
In country cities, bus service systems are only public traffic facility, which have been contributed to stability of the civic life and development of the city activity. Recently, the more private cars are used, the less bus passengers become. Private cars are main transportation in country cities, so the peoples are widely using them for going to the offices, shopping centers, and hospitals. However, this facts don't mean that the public transportations are not necessary in motorized society. This paper discusses the functions and problems of bus systems in country cities, namely Obihiro city in Hokkaido. For the purpose of comprehending the transportation circumstances in Obihiro city, the person trips investigation was carried out. Consequently, two facts are realized as follows.
1) Private cars are generally used even in the center of Obihiro where traffic controls are put into practice strongly.
2) Bus systems are often used by students, housewives, and elders. Especially the systems play an important role for handicapped persons. In Obihiro city, bus systems have lost the role of mass transportation systems already. So, it is desirable that the countermeasures are taken as follows.
1) reformation of bus route network.
2) establishment of the bus traffic priority.
3) construction of bus terminal in Obihiro city.
4) fitness in the city planning.
5) estimation of bus service cost and it's shares.
