Hanshin and Nishinomiya expand Koshien autonomous-bus trial
Hanshin Electric Railway and Nishinomiya City announced an expanded Level 2 autonomous-bus trial around Koshien, adding Koshien Station and two operating routes.
Evidence notes
- Vehicle operations are scheduled from August 31, 2026 through January 30, 2027, with public rides planned from mid-November.
- The programme uses a TIER IV Minibus 2.0 vehicle and involves Hanshin Bus and autonomy-technology collaborators.
- The project is working toward Level 4 authorization in fiscal 2027; the Aug. 24 event is the trial announcement, not Level 4 approval or an active public service.
Company context
Hanshin Electric Railway operates rail, property and leisure businesses in the Osaka–Kobe region. Its Korthos relevance comes from recurring autonomous-bus trials with Nishinomiya City and technology partners, including work toward Level 4 public-transport authorization.