Japan Travel is offering a tour that allows participants to experience driving the last domestic double-decker vehicle, the “Aero King,” and Hino’s “S’elega R.”
West Japan JR Bus is cooperating by renting out a venue for the event. The site will have a simulated road and bus stop installed, and participants can experience driving on a simulated express route while handling doors and making in-bus announcements using the two types of buses. While waiting for their turn, participants can also enjoy riding in the buses being driven and taking pictures from a safe area.
The “Aero King” was manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso in the late 1980s and was introduced by the JR Bus Group in large numbers due to its high capacity, making it suitable for mass transportation. It was once deployed on the Tomei Highway Bus and the overnight “Dream” service.
The event will be held on March 9th. The meeting place is at Sakurajima Station, where participants will be transported by the “Aero King.” The travel cost is 25,000 yen for the driving experience, and 18,000 yen for accompanying observers. Two courses are available: morning and afternoon.
