EV Bus Driving Operation Trials will be Conducted in Aobayama (Level 2 Autonomous Driving Operation) and Nishikigaoka (Manual Driving Operation) in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) will conduct EV bus driving operation trials in Aobayama (Level 2 autonomous driving operation) and Nishikigaoka (manual driving operation) in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
We are a participant in the "Sendai City x Tohoku University Smart Frontier Council," which aims to implement cutting-edge services to solve social issues through PPP, and have been planning and leading the "Aobayama Green Excursion Project," which aims to improve mobility in the Aobayama area with cutting-edge services such as autonomous driving since fiscal year 2023. Based on the "Agreement on the Implementation of the 'Autonomous Driving Demonstration in Sendai City' in fiscal year 2025," we are promoting an autonomous driving demonstration project in Sendai City.
Scenes from the Previous Demonstration Experiment
This fiscal year, the "Autonomous Driving Demonstration in Sendai City" will be conducted at two fields: Aobayama and Nishikigaoka. In Aobayama, an EV bus driving operation trials with Level 2 autonomous driving operation will be conducted between Kokusai Center Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line and the Sendai Castle Ruins. Further verification will be carried out from the perspectives of technology, management, and social acceptability, with a view to demonstrating and implementing Level 4 autonomous driving operation in the future.
In Nishikigaoka, which was added this fiscal year, the aim is to demonstrate and implement a service that operates EV autonomous buses.As a preliminary survey, an EV bus equipped with autonomous driving technology will be manually operated between the Nishikigaoka area and JR Aiko Station to investigate the demands and needs of passengers.
Overview of the EV Bus Driving Operation Trials
(1) Aobayama (Level 2 autonomous driving operation)
Operation Dates: 6 days on Sunday November 9th, Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th, and Sunday 16th
Operation Hours: 10:00 -16:10
Operation Route: International Center Station - Sendai Ryokusaikan - Sendai Castle Ruins - Tohoku University Aobayama Campus - International Center Station (approx. 5.1 km)
Fare: Free
(2) Nishikigaoka (Manual Driving Operation)
Operation Dates: Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th
Operation Hours: 10:00 -15:30
Operation Route: Nishikigaoka Community Center - Sendai City Astronomical Observatory - Aiko Station (round trip) (one way: approximately 5.5 km)
Fare: Free
■About Operation Status
The service may be suspended due to weather or road conditions. Please check the Sendai City website for information on operation status. https://sendai-tokku.jp/
During the trial period, anyone can ride the vehicle for free, so please take this opportunity to experience autonomous driving technology for yourself.
*Please note that you will not be able to board if the bus reaches capacity.
◆Detailed information including survey summary:【Sendai City Autonomous Driving】Press.pdf
◆Aobayama flyer: [Aobayama]flyer.pdf
◆Nishikigaoka flyer: [Nishikigaoka]flyer.pdf
◆Reference: Sendai City Press Release
https://www.city.sendai.jp/sesakukoho/gaiyo/shichoshitsu/kaiken/2025/10/14unten2.html
Our website "INSIGHT" explains the current situation and challenges of "autonomous driving buses" as well as key points for their introduction.
https://en.pacific.co.jp/insight/2025/08/autonomous-driving01.html
In order to contribute to the social implementation of Level 4 autonomous driving, we are engaged in various initiatives across the country, including supporting technological development related to autonomous driving, policy formulation, planning, and operation and management of demonstration experiment. We will strive to solve issues such as a lack of local transportation means and a shortage of people to carry out the work.
[Contact for inquiries regarding this press release]
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.
Aobayama Green Excursion Project Office
Nishikigaoka EV Bus Demonstration Experiment Office
TEL: 090-5590-0007
Email: R7_sendaiAD_honbu@tk.pacific.co.jp