Together with Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company and East Japan Marketing & Communications, Inc., the moovel Group is now testing its MaaS platform in the Izu region, south of Tokyo: The “Izuko” app displays connections and departure times of buses and trains throughout the Izu region. If users choose to travel by bus or train, they can buy their ticket in the app with just a few clicks and immediately receive their digital ticket. In addition to the bus and train offers, the app provides information on available rental bicycles from the regional bicycle rental companies Hello Cycling and Izu Potter as well as vehicles from the car rental company JR Rent-A-Car. In addition, an on-demand ridesharing service can be booked free of charge via the app. The app was developed by moovel Group GmbH, a joint venture of Daimler AG and the BMW Group. With the launch of the “Izuko” app, MaaS pioneer moovel is launching its first application in the Asian market.
As a special feature, the app has a special Point of Interest function: Tourist attractions are displayed on the virtual map of the app via a tab. Depending on the tourist attraction, additional information is made available and tickets or discounts are offered for certain locations. The Izu region is a popular recreation area for the inhabitants of the Tokyo region – the region is visited annually by about 18 million people.
Izuko App offers easy and convenient access to various mobility options
Using the Izuko App is simple: Users enter a starting point or get located and then search for the destination of their choice. The app immediately displays all available mobility services that can be booked directly via the app or after being redirected to the provider’s website (Hello Cycling, Izu Potter and JR Rent-A-Car). If users choose bus or train, they can buy their ticket in the app. The digital ticket on their smartphone is valid for two days. Customers can pay for tickets with the credit card they add when registering in the app. First, the Izuko East and Izuko Wide Pass will be integrated. The Izuko East Pass covers the entire eastern region of Izu, while the Izuko Wide Pass covers almost the entire Izu region. Users can also purchase tickets for selected tourist attractions such as the floating Shimoda Aquarium or the Izu Granpal Amusement Park. The “Izuko” app is available to users for free download from the Apple App Store or via Google Play. Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company and East Japan Marketing & Communications, Inc. will test the app in a first phase from April to the end of June 2019.
SOURCE: moovel
