https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/expo2025/20260121-GYT1T00290/
The 150 electric buses that Osaka Metro introduced to transport visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo are now at a loss. They were scheduled to be repurposed as route buses after the expo ended, but doubts have arisen about their safety, and it is unclear when they will be put back into service.
Approximately 100 buses, including those decorated with the Expo colors of red, white, and blue, are parked in a line at the Osaka Metro parking lot in Morinomiya, Joto Ward, Osaka City. According to Osaka Metro, all of them are electric buses procured from EV Motors Japan (EVMJ) in Kitakyushu City.
In time for the Expo, Osaka Metro purchased 35 small buses from EVMJ for use within the venue and 115 large buses for shuttle buses connecting the venue with JR Sakurajima Station. After the Expo closed on October 13 last year, the buses were scheduled to be used for demonstration experiments of autonomous buses in southern Osaka Prefecture and for route buses within Osaka City.
However, problems with EVMJ buses began occurring in various locations. On October 20th of last year, after the Expo ended, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted an on-site inspection of the company in accordance with the Road Transport Vehicle Act. In November of the same year, the company filed a recall with the Ministry, citing concerns that brake hoses may wear out when steering, making it difficult to brake.
Following an on-site inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Osaka Metro has decided to suspend use of the vehicles it purchased from the company for the time being. In addition to the 150 vehicles intended for the Expo, a total of 190 vehicles, including 40 microbuses for the "on-demand bus" service introduced in January last year, have been left unused.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, EVMJ imports buses manufactured by Chinese manufacturers and sells them domestically.
Osaka Metro explained the reason for purchasing the buses from EVMJ as "the company that best met the conditions when we applied for government subsidies at the time of introduction." Regarding the suspension of use, a representative said, "As a legacy of the Expo, we want people to be able to ride EV buses safely on route buses, but we are sorry that we cannot predict when they will be operational."
by YamatoRyu2006