Meiko implements mobile ticketing on its network in Japan

The popular resort of Shirahama is served by Meiko Bus' services

Meiko Bus has implemented a mobile ticketing system on its network, including on its popular Shirahima Onsen route. The Shirahama area, on the southern coast of Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the leading resort areas in Honshu island (the biggest island of Japan), and attracts more than three million tourists a year. Passengers are now able to purchase all one, two, and three day passes for bus travel via the Japan Transit Planner and the Norikae Annai apps, in both English and Japanese.

The operator has teamed up with Masabi and Japanese trip-planning and MaaS service Jorudan to integrate the Justride mobile ticketing SDK into its transit apps, meaning once an operator signs up to the service, tickets can be quickly made available in the applications.

“Working with Jorudan we have built Japan’s biggest integrated mobile ticketing and journey planning platform, giving people access to travel services via a device and interface they are familiar with, even when they’re somewhere new. Tourists visiting Shirahama with Meiko Bus will now be able to purchase tickets and ride this popular route via an intuitive and familiar purchase process, saving time and hassle,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO of Masabi.

“The continued progress of transport operators integrating their services into Jorudan’s apps is testament to their convenience and usability, and we are extremely happy to see our ticketing offering expand and progress in the Japanese market.”

“Shirihama is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations, and this is a route popular with visitors. Adding mobile ticketing makes great sense, as it will save time and hassle for families when buying tickets and boarding buses – transforming the experience to be quick and easy, and giving them more time to enjoy the beautiful area,” added Toshikazu Sato, CEO of Jorudan.

“As travel and tourism restart throughout 2021 and beyond it’s brilliant to be able to keep adding this technology to services across Japan, giving locals and tourists alike added convenience and easier journeys.