JCB, Resona Holdings and ODAWARA have partnered to develop an ultra-wideband (UWB) hands-free payment system for public buses in Japan.
The initiative aims to reduce boarding times and ease the workload on drivers amid a nationwide labour shortage.
This collaboration builds on a March 2026 agreement between JCB and Resona.
The addition of ODAWARA, a transit fare equipment manufacturer, will allow the companies to begin technical trials with bus operators in the current financial year.
UWB technology provides high-speed data transmission and precise positioning. The system identifies passengers as they board and alight, processing UWB transit payments without requiring them to tap a smartphone or scan a QR code.
Commercial rollout schedule
Following technical trials in 2026, the consortium plans a small-scale commercial launch in 2027. A full commercial deployment is scheduled for 2028.
The companies expect the system to improve bus punctuality by eliminating delays caused by manual fare handling. Bus operators will be able to use the location data to map congestion patterns and adjust fleet schedules.
Passengers will receive location-based services through their smartphones, including transit guidance and targeted coupons.
ODAWARA has joined the FiRa Consortium to work on global standardisation for UWB transit payments. The partners plan to eventually expand the technology into retail and smart city infrastructure.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by fazzgraphic via Magnific