Chartered bus system, chartered bus processing method, and chartered bus processing program

Abstract

To build a chartered bus service configured to smoothly manage and arrange guides, and provide information.SOLUTION: In a service related to chartered buses, a chartered bus system includes a travel company device 2 managed in a travel company that places an order, and a bus business operator device 3 managed by a bus business operator that receives an order. The system includes: guide information storage means 121 which stores the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; available guide calculation means 122 which calculates the number of available guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; first display control means 123 which causes the bus business operator device 3 to display first information which is information on the number of available guides; and second display control means 124 which causes the travel company device 2 to display second information which is different from the first information and related to the number of available guides. The first information represents the number of available guides. The second information represents a symbol indicating the number of available guides.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chartered bus system, a chartered bus processing method, and a chartered bus processing program that can perform various processes related to chartered bus operations, such as quotations, ordering, and guide management and arrangements. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Chartered bus services (general chartered passenger automobile transportation businesses) in which buses are chartered and operated for a specified period of time for purposes such as company trips have been known for some time. When using a chartered bus service, many end users apply to a travel agency (including travel agents, tour operators, and travel brokers), which then applies for a chartered bus on behalf of the end user to a bus operator (also called a bus company). Specifically, the travel agency requests a quote from the bus operator based on the information (travel period, departure point, arrival point, etc.) provided by the end user at the time of application. Travel agencies can also request quotes from multiple bus operators (competitive quotes). This allows travel agencies to check which bus operators are cheaper and then make reservations for chartered buses.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a chartered bus reservation system. In this chartered bus reservation system, a management server that accepts reservation requests from users is set up on the Internet, and users transmit their desired conditions, including their budget, to the management server via a terminal. When bus information that meets all of the desired conditions is provided by the management server, if the desired bus information is available, the users transmit reservation request information to the management server. The management server searches registered data for bus information that satisfies the user's desired conditions, transmits the bus information to the user's terminal if any, and when a reservation request is made from the terminal, notifies the terminal of the corresponding bus company of the reservation request via the Internet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-373280 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, this charter bus reservation system takes into consideration the desired conditions of the user, but does not take into consideration the conditions of the bus operator at all. Furthermore, while the "users" in Patent Document 1 are end users, in reality, in many cases travel agencies act as agents to transact with bus operators. In addition, there are many travel agencies, and bus operators may want to vary the quote depending on their relationship with the travel agency, such as offering services to travel agency A at a lower or higher price than travel agency B. In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has set minimum fares and charges (unit price) for general chartered passenger vehicle transportation businesses, and bus operators are required to submit quotes that meet these regulations, so it was necessary to improve the conventional manual method. In addition, chartered buses offer additional services, such as having a guide (also called a bus guide) on board to provide tourist information and in-car services upon request from the user. For this reason, each bus operator needs to manage the remaining number of guides and their availability, and provide information to travel agencies (such as information on availability), but most of this is done manually, and there is room for improvement.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems associated with the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a chartered bus system, a chartered bus processing method, and a chartered bus processing program that can centrally and effectively handle guide management and information provision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In view of the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a chartered bus system for chartered bus services, comprising a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus operator device managed by an order-receiving bus operator, and comprising: a guide information storage means for storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; a remaining guide number calculation means for calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; a first display control means for causing the bus operator device to display first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides; and a second display control means for causing the travel agency device to display second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, wherein the first information is the remaining number of guides and the second information is information indicating the remaining number of guides.

[0008] In addition, another aspect of the present invention is a chartered bus processing method for chartered bus services, which uses a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus operator device managed by an order-receiving bus operator, and includes the steps of: storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; displaying first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides, on the bus operator device; and displaying second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, on the travel agency device, wherein the first information is the remaining number of guides and the second information is information indicating the remaining number of guides.

[0009] In addition, a chartered bus processing program according to another aspect of the present invention relates to a chartered bus service, and causes an information processing device connected to a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus operator device managed by an order-receiving bus operator to function as a guide information storage means for storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides, a remaining number of guides calculation means for calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides, a first display control means for causing the bus operator device to display first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides, and a second display control means for causing the travel agency device to display second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, wherein the first information is the remaining number of guides and the second information is information indicating the remaining number of guides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, guide management and information provision in a chartered bus service can be carried out smoothly and effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a chartered bus ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a travel agency device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a bus operator device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a database configuration. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an AGT master. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bus operator master. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed vehicle rank master; [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sales office master. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an AGT group master. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the AGT group fare master. [Figure 13] 10A is a diagram showing an example of a guide fee master A corresponding to actual driving time, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a guide fee master B corresponding to detention time. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a Hokkaido District Transport Bureau master. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outside business area master. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fare and charge master. [Figure 17] This is a chart showing an example of the AGT Group fare calendar. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an estimate list. [Figure 19] 10 is a table showing an example of vehicle usage status information; [Figure 20] 10 is a table showing an example of OB setting information. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the OB function. [Figure 22] 10 is a time chart showing a chartered bus processing method. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for generating estimate information. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a quote request input screen. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an estimated itinerary. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of arrangement processing. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing and deleting. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a server 1 having a configuration capable of managing and providing guide information. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a guide management sales office group. [Figure 30] 10 is an example of guide information. [Figure 31]10 is a display example of the number of remaining buses and the number of remaining guides on a bus operator device. [Figure 32] 10 is a display example of vehicle availability and guide availability on a travel agency device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the chartered bus ordering system (chartered bus system) of the present invention will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a chartered bus ordering system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment includes a server 1, a travel agency device 2, a bus operator device 3, and a map search site 4. The server 1 is connected via the Internet 9 to a travel agency device 2 managed by a travel agency and a bus operator device 3 managed by a bus operator (bus company), and by processing information received from the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3, matches orders for chartered buses that meet both the end user conditions provided by each travel agency and the conditions of each bus operator. The server 1 and the travel agency device 2 can be connected to a map search site 4 via the Internet 9 . There are a plurality of travel agencies, each of which has at least one travel agency device 2. There are a plurality of bus operators, each of which has at least one bus operator device 3 . That is, the server 1 is communicably connected to a plurality of travel agency devices 2a, 2b, . . . and a plurality of bus operator devices 3a, 3b, .

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG. The server 1 includes a control unit 101 , a memory 102 , a storage unit 103 , and a communication device 104 . The control unit 101 is a processor that executes a program, controls each unit of the server 1, and performs processing to realize the functions of the server 1. The control unit 101 uses a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 102 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program executed by the control unit 101 . For example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) are used for the memory 102. The ROM stores programs. The storage unit 103 is a computer-readable recording medium (storage) that stores various types of data. The storage unit 103 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The communication device 104 is connected to the Internet 9 and performs data communication with the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3 via the Internet 9 . The communication device 104 receives, for example, quotation request information from the travel agency device 2 and transmits quotation information to the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3. Furthermore, the communication device 104 performs data communication with the map search site 4 via the Internet 9 (API linkage). The communication device 104 transmits, for example, the departure point, intermediate points, and destination to the map search site 4, and receives from the map search site 4 the distance and time it takes to travel from the departure point to the destination.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the travel agency device 2. The travel agency device 2 includes a control unit 201 , a memory 202 , a storage unit 203 , an operation device 204 , a display device 205 , and a communication device 206 . The control unit 201 is a processor that executes a program, controls each unit of the travel agency device 2, and performs processing to realize the functions of the travel agency device 2. The control unit 201 uses a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 202 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores the programs executed by the control unit 201 . For example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) are used for the memory 202. The ROM stores programs. For example, a travel agency core program (a well-known travel industry package including business processes related to quotation and reservation of chartered buses) is stored, and a mechanism is provided for API linkage between this program and the program of server 1. The storage unit 203 is a computer-readable recording medium (storage) that stores various data. The storage unit 203 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The operation device 204 is used to operate the travel agency device 2. The operation device 204 corresponds to, for example, a keyboard or mouse of a personal computer, or a touch panel of a smartphone or tablet terminal. The display device 205 displays various screens. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device 205. The display device 205 may be integrated with a touch sensor to form a touch panel. The communication device 206 is connected to the Internet 9 and performs data communication with the server 1 via the Internet 9 . The communication device 206 transmits quotation request information to the server 1 and receives quotation information from the server 1 based on, for example, API cooperation. Furthermore, the communication device 206 performs data communication with the map search site 4 via the Internet 9 (API linkage). The communication device 104 receives map information, and the name and location information of a place specified on the map from the map search site 4 based on, for example, API cooperation. A web browser is pre-installed on the travel agency device 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the bus operator device 3. As shown in FIG. The bus operator device 3 includes a control unit 301 , a memory 302 , a storage unit 303 , an operation device 304 , a display device 305 , and a communication device 306 . The control unit 301 is a processor that executes a program, controls each unit of the bus operator device 3, and performs processing to realize the functions of the bus operator device 3. The control unit 301 uses, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 302 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program executed by the control unit 301 . For example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) are used for the memory 302. The ROM stores programs. For example, a traffic management program (a publicly known traffic management package capable of managing inventory of chartered buses, etc.) is stored, and this program and the program of the server 1 are linked via API. The storage unit 303 is a computer-readable recording medium (storage) that stores various data. The storage unit 303 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The operation device 304 is used to operate the bus operator device 3. The operation device 304 corresponds to, for example, a keyboard and a mouse of a personal computer, or a touch panel of a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The display device 305 displays various screens. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device 305. The display device 305 may be integrated with a touch sensor to form a touch panel. The communication device 306 performs data communication with the server 1 via the Internet 9 (API linkage). For example, based on API integration, the communication device 306 sends information such as the AGT group master 155, AGT group fare master 156, guide fee master 157, AGT group fare calendar 161, and OB setting information 163 to the server 1, and receives quotation information, quotation request information, etc. from the server 1. Furthermore, the communication device 306 performs data communication with the map search site 4 via the Internet 9 (API linkage). The communication device 306 receives map information, the name of a place specified on the map, and location information (for example, location information setting information included in the business office master 154) from the map search site 4 based on, for example, API cooperation. The bus operator device 3 has a web browser pre-installed.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the server 1. As shown in the figure, the server 1 is the core device of the chartered bus ordering system, and when it receives quotation request information for chartered bus services from each travel agency device 2, it automatically generates quotation information for bus operators that can accommodate the request. Subsequently, the server 1 can also perform processing related to ordering, such as reservation processing, arrangements, and changes and deletions of reservation and arrangement details. As shown in FIG. 5, the server 1 of the chartered bus ordering system includes a storage means 111, an extraction means 112, a calculation means 113, an output means 114, a display control means 115, and a loan car management means 116.

[0018] The storage means 111 stores a DB (database) 150 . 6, the DB 150 is composed of an AGT master 151, a bus operator master 152, a vehicle class detail master 153, a sales office master 154, an AGT group master 155, an AGT group fare master 156, a guide fee master 157, a Hokkaido Regional Transport Bureau master 158, an outside sales area master 159, a fare and fee master 160, an AGT group fare calendar 161, vehicle usage status information 162, and OB setting information 163. The storage means 111 (DB 150) stores guide usage status information (not shown).

[0019] The AGT master 151 is master information that stores basic information about each travel agency (AGT). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the travel agency, branch office, person in charge, telephone number, fax number, etc. are stored (managed) in association with the travel agency ID. The AGT master 151 allows the travel agency employee (including the manager, same below) to operate the travel agency device 2 to input and store the above information online.

[0020] The bus operator master 152 is master information that stores basic information about each bus operator. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the bus company, sales office, person in charge, telephone number, fax number, etc. are stored in association with the bus company ID. Although the bus operator ID is not shown in the sales office master 154 (Figure 10), AGT group master 155 (Figure 11), AGT group fare master 156 (Figure 12), guide fare master 157 (Figure 13), AGT group fare calendar 161 (Figure 17), and OB setting information 163 (Figure 20), which will be described later, in reality, a bus operator ID corresponding to the bus operator is assigned. The bus company master 152 allows employees of the bus company to input and store the above information online by operating the bus company device 3.

[0021] The detailed vehicle rank master 153 is information indicating the detailed rank of the vehicle. For example, as shown in Figure 9, large vehicles are available in models with 12 rows of seats, equipped with a toilet, and models with fewer than 12 rows of seats. The detailed vehicle rank master 153 is information common to all bus operators and is stored in advance.

[0022] The business office master 154 is master information that stores information about the business offices of each bus company. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the bus operator, the relevant transport bureau, the operating area, the excluded operating area in the same prefecture, the additional operating area in neighboring prefectures, the location information (latitude, longitude), and the toll distance limit are linked and stored. "Jurisdictional Transport Bureau" means the Transport Bureau that has jurisdiction over the business office. The "sales area" is the prefecture to which the sales office belongs. However, areas outside the sales area, such as Hokkaido and Okinawa, are managed separately without regard to the sales area. Hokkaido is managed by each transport bureau (Figure 14), and areas outside the sales area, for example, Okinawa Prefecture, are managed separately by dividing the main island of Okinawa and its outlying islands (Figure 15). In the general chartered passenger automobile transportation business, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stipulates that either the departure point or the arrival point must be within the bus operator's operating area (hereinafter also referred to as the "operating area regulation"). By referring to the operating office master 154, the Hokkaido Transport Bureau master 158, and the outside operating area master 159, it is possible to identify (extract) the operating offices and bus operators that satisfy the regulation (i.e., bus operators and their subordinate operating offices in operating areas that include the departure point or arrival point).

[0023] In addition, "excluded business areas of the same prefecture" refers to areas that fall within a prefecture, but are excluded from that prefecture. "Additional business areas of neighboring prefectures" refers to additional business areas that belong to neighboring prefectures of the target prefecture but are exceptionally included in the business areas of the target prefecture. "Excluded business areas within the same prefecture" and "additional business areas within neighboring prefectures" are business areas that are outside the business area but are exceptionally recognized as being within the business area due to geographical reasons. "Toll road distance limit" indicates that the use of toll roads (expressways, etc.) will be restricted if the distance from the departure or arrival point to the office is less than the distance specified in the column. For example, in Figure 10, the toll distance limit for Office A is 10 km, so if the distance from the departure or arrival point to Office A is 10 km or less, the use of toll roads is restricted, and if the distance is 10 km or more, the use of toll roads is permitted. The business office master 154 allows the bus company employee to input and store the above information online by operating the bus company device 3.

[0024] The AGT group master 155 is information on the AGT group of each travel agency set by the bus company. For example, Figure 11(a) shows the setting information input by the bus operator device 3 of AA Bus, where travel agencies aa, bb, cc, and dd belong to group A, and travel agencies ee and ff belong to group B. Therefore, for example, when a request for a quote is made from aa company to AA Bus, the price is calculated based on the unit price set for group A (FIGS. 12, 17, etc.). Figure 11(b) shows the setting information input by the bus operator device 3 of BB Bus, where travel agency: cc company belongs to group A, travel agency: aa company belongs to group B, and travel agency: bb company belongs to group C. Therefore, for example, when a request for a quote is made from Company aa to BB Bus, the price is calculated based on the unit price set for Group B (FIGS. 12, 17, etc.). The AGT group master 155 can set (store) the above information online by an employee of the bus company operating the bus company device 3.

[0025] The AGT group fare master 156 is a fare and charge (unit price, etc.) based on the standard fare and charge set by the bus operator for each AGT group. That is, the AGT group fare master 156 includes information (regulation information) relating to regulations for the rental bus service. The bus company "AA Bus" portion of FIG. 12 is the fare and charges for each rank (A to C) of each AGT group (groups A to D) set by operating the bus company device 3 of AA Bus. As shown in the figure, for example, for Group A, Rank A (peak season, etc.), the kilometer-based fare (unit price per kilometer) for large vehicles is 210 yen, the hourly fare (unit price per hour) is 7,230 yen, the kilometer-based fare for replacement drivers is 40 yen, the hourly fare is 2,770 yen, the late-night and early-morning operation surcharge is the standard fare x 1 yen (see Figure 16), and the special vehicle surcharge is the standard fare x 2 yen (see Figure 16). Rank B of Group A (during normal times, etc.) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank A. Rank C of Group A (off-season, etc.) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank B.

[0026] For Group B, Rank A (peak season, etc.), the kilometer-based fare for large vehicles is 195 yen, the hourly fare is 6,675 yen, the kilometer-based fare for replacement drivers is 38 yen, the hourly fare is 2,558 yen, the late-night / early-morning operation surcharge is the standard fare x 1 yen, and the special vehicle surcharge is the standard fare x 2 yen. Rank B of Group B (under normal circumstances) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank A, and also cheaper fares and charges than Rank B of Group A. Rank C of Group B (off-season, etc.) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank B, and also cheaper fares and charges than Rank C of Group A.

[0027] For Group C, Rank A (peak season, etc.), the kilometer-based fare for large vehicles is 180 yen, the hourly fare is 6,120 yen, the kilometer-based fare for replacement drivers is 35 yen, the hourly fare is 2,345 yen, the late-night / early-morning operation surcharge is the standard fare x 1 yen, and the special vehicle surcharge is the standard fare x 2 yen. Rank B of Group C (normal times, etc.) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank A, and has cheaper fares and charges than Rank B of Group B. Rank C of Group C (off-season, etc.) has cheaper fares and charges than Rank B, and also cheaper fares and charges than Rank C of Group B.

[0028] The bus company "BB Bus" portion of FIG. 12 is the fare and charge for each rank of each AGT group set by operation of the bus company device 3 of BB Bus. As shown in the figure, for example, for Group A, Rank A (peak season, etc.), the kilometer-based fare (unit price per kilometer) for large vehicles is 200 yen, the hourly fare (unit price per hour) is 7,220 yen, the kilometer-based fare for replacement drivers is 39 yen, the hourly fare is 2,760 yen, the late-night and early-morning operation surcharge is the standard fare x 1 yen, and the special vehicle surcharge is the standard fare x 2 yen. For Group B, Rank B (normal periods), the kilometer-based fare (price per kilometer) for large vehicles is 170 yen, the hourly fare (price per hour) is 6,110 yen, the kilometer-based fare for replacement drivers is 34 yen, the hourly fare is 2,340 yen, the late-night and early-morning operation surcharge is the standard fare x 1 yen, and the special vehicle surcharge is the standard fare x 2 yen.

[0029] In this way, the AGT group fare master 156 (FIG. 12) allows the bus company employee to input and store the above information online by operating the bus company device 3. The fares and charges (unit prices) set in the AGT group fare master 156 are unit prices that satisfy the provisions of the fares and charges (FIG. 16) stipulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Therefore, any fare or charge can be set as long as it is within the range of the prescribed fare or charge (referred to as prescribed fare or charge), not limited to the above example.

[0030] The guide fee master 157 is a fee for bus guides set by the bus company according to ranks for each office and busy / unbusy periods, actual driving time, and on-duty time. The chartered bus system of this embodiment calculates the bus guide fee based on the "duty time." "Duty time" is the "actual vehicle time" plus the time for out-of-service driving and roll call inspection. For convenience, the following explains how to calculate the bus guide fee based on "actual driving time." However, if the bus guide fee is calculated based on "on-duty time," simply read "Guide fee master A in Figure 13(a)" below as "Guide fee master B in Figure 13(b)," and "actual driving time" below as "on-duty time." For example, in the guide fee master A of Figure 13(a), the guide fee for rank A (busy season, etc.) of AA Bus C Office is set to 10,000 yen if the actual driving time is 0 to less than 2 hours, 15,000 yen if the actual driving time is 2 to less than 5 hours, and 20,000 yen if the actual driving time is 5 to less than 24 hours. In addition, the guide fee for rank B (normal times, etc.) at BB Bus f Office is set at 18,000 yen for actual driving time of 5 hours or more but less than 24 hours. The guide fare master 157 allows the bus company employee to input and store the above information online by operating the bus company device 3.

[0031] The "rank" is not limited to three levels (A to C), but can be set to any level, including three levels or less, or four levels or more. For example, in the guide fee master B of FIG. 13(b), 10 ranks (A1 to A3, B1 to B4, C1 to C3) are set based on the "duration of time."

[0032] The Hokkaido Transport Bureau master 158 is master information that stores the association between branch offices belonging to the Hokkaido Transport Bureau and cities, towns, and villages. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, Sapporo City and Otaru City belong to the Sapporo Transport Branch Office, and Hakodate City and Hokuto City belong to the Hakodate Transport Branch Office. This means that if the departure point is Sapporo and the arrival point is Otaru, the departure and return destinations can be offices belonging to the Sapporo Transport Bureau. In addition, if the departure point is Sapporo and the arrival point is Hakodate, this means that the departure and return destinations can be offices belonging to the Sapporo Transport Branch Office or the Hakodate Transport Branch Office.

[0033] The outside business area master 159 classifies each city, town, village, and county in Okinawa prefecture into the main island of Okinawa and outlying islands. For example, as shown in Figure 15, Naha City and Urasoe City belong to the main island of Okinawa, while Ishigaki Island belongs to an outlying island. For example, if the departure and arrival points are in Ishigaki City and the business office is located on the main island of Okinawa, operation is not permitted as it is outside the business area. The Hokkaido Regional Transport Bureau master data 158 and the outside business area master data 159 are stored in advance in the server 1.

[0034] The fare and charge master 160 is information indicating the specified fare and charge itself, and is stored in advance in the server 1. For example, as shown in Figure 16, the fares (unit price) for large vehicles in the Chugoku Transport Bureau's operating area are stipulated as follows: kilometer-based fares have a minimum limit of 150 yen / km, and time-based fares have a minimum limit of 5,010 yen / hour. In addition, with regard to the fees (unit price, etc.) for large vehicles within the Chugoku Transport Bureau's operating area, the minimum kilometer rate for replacement driver allocation fees is 30 yen / km, the minimum hourly rate is 1,920 yen / hour, the late-night and early-morning operation surcharge is 20% of the hourly fare and replacement driver allocation fee (hourly rate), and it is stipulated that a surcharge rate that takes into account the equipment, purchase price, etc. can be applied to the special vehicle surcharge.

[0035] The AGT group fare calendar 161 is information in which the bus operator assigns fare ranks for each AGT group to dates. Figure 17(a) shows the information set by AA Bus, where Group A on June 20th and 21st is set to Rank A. FIG. 17(b) shows the information set by BB Bus, where Group B on June 20th and 21st is set to Rank B. The check mark "Reply for loaner car required" indicates that "if a loaner car is used or there is a possibility of using one, an explanation (reply) to that effect is required." The bus operator checks the dates on which there is a possibility of using a loaner or chartered vehicle for operation. Note that, since both loaner and chartered vehicles involve using other commercial vehicles or vehicles of the bus operator, in this embodiment, the terms "loaner" and "chartered vehicle" are synonymous. For example, if you are receiving a reservation due to overbooking, if the vehicle is usually busy and overbooking is expected this year as well, if the vehicle is for a short period of time or is operated in conjunction with other projects and a replacement or hired vehicle is expected, check the appropriate dates and groups. In this case, specifically, the server 1 stores flag information (loan car required response flag) in association with the checked date and group. As a result, the server 1 can notify the travel agency that has requested the estimate by sending a message to the travel agency device 2 of the travel agency that "there is a possibility that a loaner car will be used" together with the estimate information. The AGT group fare calendar 161 can be set by an employee of each bus company operating the bus company device 3.

[0036] In this way, the storage means 111 stores bus operator condition information indicating the conditions of each bus operator that can be input (set) by each bus operator device 3. "Bus operator condition information" includes information regarding the price of a chartered bus, which varies for each travel agency depending on the bus operator's settings, such as information regarding the AGT group master 155, AGT group fare master 156, guide fee master 157, and AGT group fare calendar 161. Among these, the AGT group fare master 156 corresponds to the regulation information.

[0037] The extraction means 112 extracts bus operators from among multiple bus operators that can provide a rental bus that meets both the user's conditions and the bus operator's conditions, based on user condition information indicating the conditions of the user who uses a chartered bus, which can be input (set) by the travel agency device 2, and bus operator condition information stored by the storage means 111. "User condition information" is information on the conditions desired by the end user. Examples of "user condition information" include information regarding the travel agency that requested the quote, the duration of the trip, the number of people, the vehicle class (details of the vehicle class) and number of vehicles, whether a guide is required, whether overnight stays are required, the departure point (point of departure), intermediate points, arrival point (point of arrival), and the times of these points. The "user condition information" is information entered when requesting a quote by operating the travel agency device 2, and is included in the quote request information sent from the travel agency device 2 to the server 1 (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

[0038] For example, the extraction means 112 identifies the "point of departure" and "point of arrival" from the user condition information contained in the quotation request information sent from the travel agency device 2, and extracts bus operators that have offices within the operating area of ​​either the "point of departure" or the "point of arrival" from the office master 154 (Figure 10). For example, if the departure point is Okayama Prefecture and the arrival point is Okayama Prefecture, bus operators (AA Bus and BB Bus) with offices in Okayama Prefecture are extracted, and if the departure point is Okayama Prefecture and the arrival point is Osaka Prefecture, bus operators (AA Bus) with offices in Okayama Prefecture or Osaka Prefecture are extracted (see Figure 10). This makes it possible to extract offices and bus operators that meet the operating area regulations.

[0039] The calculation means 113 calculates the price of a chartered bus from the bus company extracted by the extraction means 112 based on the "user condition information" and the "bus company condition information." An example of "user condition information" is quotation request information (travel period, vehicle class, departure point, arrival point, etc.), and an example of "bus operator condition information" is the AGT group fare master 156 or the AGT group fare calendar 161.

[0040] First, the sales office from which the goods will be shipped (returned) is determined. For example, let us explain the case where the travel agency requesting the quote is AA Company, the travel period is: June 20th to June 21st, 2022 (hereafter, the year will be omitted), the number of people: 20, the type of vehicle: large, the number of vehicles: 1, the guide: required, the overnight stay: not required (see Figure 24), the itinerary for the first day is: departure point: Kurashiki Station, stop 1: Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, stop 2: Washuyama Observatory, stop 3: Kojima Jeans Street, arrival point: Okayama Hotel, and the itinerary for the second day is: departure point: Okayama Hotel, stop 1: Bizen Pottery Workshop, stop 2: Okayama Korakuen, arrival point: Kurashiki Station (see Figure 25). In this case, the server 1 extracts the AA bus and the BB bus by referring to the sales office master 154, and then selects the sales office closest to the departure point from among the sales offices belonging to the extracted AA bus and BB bus as the departure and return destinations. The term "closest" may be determined based on the distance between the two points that can be calculated by the map search site 4 based on the location information of each office and the location information of the departure and arrival points. The sales office closest to the destination may be selected as the departure and return destination. Alternatively, the sales office closest to the departure point may be selected as the departure destination, and the sales office closest to the arrival point may be selected as the return destination. In this embodiment, the closest office to the departure point is assumed to be office c for AA buses and office f for BB buses. As a result, Depot c is determined as the departure and return destination for AA buses, and Depot f is determined as the departure and return destination for BB buses.

[0041] The cost of chartering a bus consists of a "fare" and a "charge." First, we will explain how to calculate the "fare." There are two types of fares: distance fares, which are calculated by multiplying the kilometer fare (price per kilometer) by the distance traveled (km), and time fares, which are calculated by multiplying the hourly fare (price per hour) by the travel time (hours). "Distance traveled" includes "dead-way distance" and "actual vehicle distance," and "travel time" includes "dead-way time," "actual vehicle time," and "inspection time." "Transport" refers to moving a chartered bus from the departure office to the departure point, or moving a chartered bus that has arrived at the destination from the destination to the return office. "Actual vehicle" means moving a chartered bus with passengers on board from the departure point to the destination.

[0042] The method for calculating the deadhead distance and deadhead time will be explained. The calculation of the travel distance and travel time is performed in cooperation with a known map search site 4. Specifically, the server 1 activates the "route search function" of this site based on API cooperation with the map search site 4. The "route search function" allows you to input your departure and arrival locations and your mode of transportation to calculate the distance and travel time required to travel from your departure location to your destination using that mode of transportation. For the first day, the server 1 inputs the address of AA Bus's "Office c" as the departure location, "Kurashiki Station" as the arrival location, and "bus" as the means of transportation into the route search function. As a result, the route search function can obtain the travel distance and travel time when traveling on the road from Sales Office C to Kurashiki Station at a speed of 40 km / h (average travel speed of a bus). The server 1 acquires this travel distance and travel time from the map search site 4 as "travel distance" and "travel time", respectively. Specifically, the server 1 acquires, for the AA bus, the deadhead distance from the c office to Kurashiki station on the first day: 1.4 km and the deadhead time: 0.05 hours. Similarly, the server 1 also acquires the deadhead distance from Kurashiki Station to c office on the second day: 1.4 km, and the deadhead time: 0.05 hours. As a result, the server 1 acquires the following information regarding the AA bus: a deadhead distance of 2.8 km (=1.4 km+1.4 km) and a deadhead time of 0.1 hours (=0.05 hours+0.05 hours). Similarly, server 1 obtains the travel distance for BB Bus from "f Depot" to "Kurashiki Station" on the first day as 77 km and the travel time as 1.5 hours, and also obtains the travel distance from "Kurashiki Station" to "f Depot" on the second day as 77 km and the travel time as 1.5 hours. As a result, the server 1 acquires the following information for the BB bus: deadhead distance: 154 km (= 77 km + 77 km) and deadhead time: 3 hours (= 1.5 hours + 1.5 hours).

[0043] The method for calculating the actual driving distance and actual driving time will be explained. The actual driving distance and time are also calculated in cooperation with the map search site 4 (route search function). The "route search function" allows you to input your departure point, intermediate and destination locations, and mode of transportation to calculate the distance and travel time required to travel from your departure point to your destination, passing through the intermediate locations, using that mode of transportation. Server 1 inputs the departure point for day 1, "Kurashiki Station," stop 1, "Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter," stop 2, "Washiuyama Observatory," stop 3, "Kojima Jeans Street," destination, "Okayama Hotel," and mode of transportation, "bus," into the route search function. As a result, the server 1 obtains from the map search site 4 the "travel distance" and "travel time" when traveling from Kurashiki Station to Kurashiki Station Scenic Area to Washuyama Observatory to Kojima Jeans Street to Okayama Hotel at a speed of 40 km / h (average bus speed) as the "actual driving distance" and "actual driving time." Specifically, the server 1 acquires the actual driving distance from Kurashiki Station to Okayama Hotel on the first day: 40 km and the actual driving time: 6.5 hours. Similarly, the server 1 also acquires the actual driving distance from Okayama Hotel to Kurashiki Station on the second day: 30 km and the actual driving time: 5 hours. As a result, the server 1 acquires the actual driving distance: 70 km (= 40 km + 30 km) and the actual driving time: 11.5 hours (= 6.5 hours + 5 hours). In addition, since the actual travel distance and travel time are common to all bus operators, there is no need to calculate them separately for AA buses and BB buses.

[0044] The inspection time will be explained. The standard fares and charges are as follows: "The time from leaving the depot to entering the depot plus one hour for inspection of leaving the depot and one hour for inspection of returning to the depot, totalling two hours, is multiplied by the hourly fare." For this reason, in this embodiment, the "travel time" is defined as the deadhead time + actual vehicle time + inspection time (2 hours). Specifically, Server 1 calculates the travel time for AA buses to be 13.6 hours (= 0.1 hour of out-of-service time + 11.5 hours of actual vehicle time + 2 hours of inspection time), and calculates the travel time for BB buses to be 16.5 hours (= 3 hours of out-of-service time + 11.5 hours of actual vehicle time + 2 hours of inspection time).

[0045] As a result, server 1 calculates "travel distance: 72.8 km" (= 2.8 km out-of-service distance + 70 km actual vehicle distance) and "travel time: 13.6 hours" for AA bus, and "travel distance: 224 km" (= 154 km out-of-service distance + 70 km actual vehicle distance) and "travel time: 16.5 hours" for BB bus. Distances less than 10km will be rounded up to 10km, and driving times less than 30 minutes will be rounded down, and times 30 minutes or more will be rounded up to 1 hour. Therefore, for AA buses, the distance traveled is 80 km and the travel time is 14 hours, and for BB buses, the distance traveled is 224 km and the travel time is 17 hours.

[0046] The method for determining kilometer-based fares and time-based fares will be explained. The kilometer-based fare and time-based fare are determined by referring to the AGT group master 155 (FIG. 11), the AGT group fare calendar 161 (FIG. 17), and the AGT group fare master 156 (FIG. 12).

[0047] Regarding the AA bus, referring to the AGT group master 155 (FIG. 11(a)), the AGT group of company aa is set to "Group A." Referring to the AGT group fare calendar 161 (Figure 17(a)), group A is assigned rank A for both the travel period of June 20th and June 21st. If the travel period spans multiple days, the highest rank is applied. Therefore, the server 1 determines "kilometer-based fare (large vehicle): 210 yen" and "time-based fare (large vehicle): 7,230 yen" from the data corresponding to "Rank A" of "Group A" of "AA Bus" in the AGT group fare master 156 (Figure 12). In other words, for AA buses, the kilometre-based fare will be 210 yen and the hourly fare will be 7,230 yen.

[0048] Regarding the BB bus, referring to the AGT group master 155 (FIG. 11(b)), the AGT group of company aa is set to "Group B." Referring to the set AGT group fare calendar 161 (FIG. 17(b)), it is found that group B is assigned rank B for both June 20th and June 21st, which are the travel periods. Therefore, the server 1 determines "kilometer-based fare (large vehicle): 170 yen" and "time-based fare (large vehicle): 6110 yen" from the data corresponding to "Rank B" of "Group B" of "BB Bus" in the AGT group fare master 156 (Figure 12). In other words, for BB Bus, the kilometer-based fare will be 170 yen and the hourly fare will be 6,110 yen.

[0049] The server 1 calculates a distance fare by multiplying the determined kilometer-based fare by the travel distance, and calculates a time fare by multiplying the specified time-based fare by the travel time. Therefore, the distance and time fares for AA Bus and BB Bus are calculated as follows: "AA Bus distance fare" = 210 yen x 80km = 16,800 yen "AA Bus hourly fare" = 7,230 yen x 14 hours = 101,220 yen Therefore, the AA Bus fare is calculated as 118,020 yen (= 16,800 yen + 101,220 yen). "BB Bus distance fare" = 170 yen x 224 km = 38,080 yen "BB Bus hourly fare" = 6,110 yen x 17 hours = 103,870 yen Therefore, the BB Bus fare is calculated as 141,950 yen (= 38,080 yen + 103,870 yen).

[0050] Next, we will explain how fees are calculated and determined. The charges include "surcharge for late-night and early-morning operations," "substitute driver charge," "special vehicle charge," "guide charge," and "paid return shipping charge."

[0051] Regarding the "surcharge for late-night and early-morning operations," the standard fares and charges also state that "for operations between 22:00 and 5:00, a 20% surcharge will be applied." Therefore, if the operating hours identified from the user condition information overlap with the time period between 22:00 and 5:00, a late-night / early-morning operating surcharge can be included in the price of the chartered bus. In this case, as shown in Figure 17, the rank of the AGT group on the operation day assigned to the AGT group fare calendar 161 is identified, and the "late night / early morning operation surcharge" corresponding to that rank is extracted from the AGT group fare master 156 (Figure 12). For example, if a travel agency belonging to Group A requests AA Bus for a quote for a bus operating from 22:00 to 5:00 on June 26th, Server 1 can identify that the rank of Group A's operating day (6 / 26) is Rank A (see Figure 17(a)), and therefore determines the "late night / early morning operating surcharge" to be "prescribed fare x 1 yen" (see Figure 12).

[0052] Regarding the "replacement driver fee," the prescribed fares and charges also include a provision that "when a replacement driver is assigned for safe driving in long-distance, long-duration, or night-time operations, the fees published by each transport bureau shall apply." The "fees published by each transport bureau" are amounts equal to or greater than the lower limit of the "kilometer-based fee" and "hourly fee" in the fare and fee master 160 (FIG. 16). Therefore, if the travel distance exceeds a specific distance (specified 600 km), if the travel time exceeds a specific time (specified 16 hours), or if the operating hours specified by the itinerary are early morning or late night (specified 10 pm to 5 am), a "substitute driver fee" can be included in the price of the chartered bus. In this case, the server 1 identifies the rank of the AGT group on the operation day assigned to the AGT group fare calendar 161 (Figure 17) and extracts the "replacement driver placement fee" corresponding to the identified rank from the AGT group fare master 156 (Figure 12). For example, if a travel agency belonging to Group A requests AA Bus for a quote for a long-distance trip on June 26th, Server 1 determines that the rank of Group A's trip date (6 / 26) is Rank A (see Figure 17), and therefore determines the "kilometer-based fare = 40 yen" and "hourly fare = 2,770 yen." Therefore, Server 1 calculates the "replacement driver fee" as the sum (45,139 yen) of the distance traveled (82.8 km) multiplied by the kilometer-based fee of 40 yen (3,312 yen) and the driving time (15.1 hours) multiplied by the hourly fee of 2,770 yen (41,827 yen).

[0053] The standard fares and charges stipulate that when providing special vehicles such as salon cars and buses with lifts, a surcharge can be applied that takes into account the equipment, purchase price, etc. Therefore, if the vehicle class included in the user condition information is a special vehicle, a special vehicle surcharge can be included in the price of the chartered bus. For example, if a travel agency belonging to Group A requests AA Bus for a quote on the conditions for operating a special vehicle on June 26th, Server 1 can determine that the rank of Group A on the operating date (6 / 26) is Rank A (see Figure 17(a)), and therefore determines the "special vehicle surcharge" to be x2 yen (see Figure 12). This "special vehicle surcharge" is a charge to which a predetermined surcharge rate is applied, taking into account the equipment, purchase price, etc. (see Figure 16).

[0054] "Guide fee" is the fee that can be applied if you request a bus guide. Specifically, if the user condition information includes "guide: required" (see FIG. 24), the guide fee can be included in the price of the chartered bus. Note that "Guide: Required" indicates that one guide is required, but multiple guides can also be requested. In this case, for example, an input field for the number of guides required can be provided for each vehicle class, and the required number of guides can be entered in that input field. In this case, the server 1 determines the guide fee by referring to the guide fee master 157 (FIG. 13). The guide fee is determined for each bus operator's office according to its rank, which indicates busy or slow periods, and the amount of time the bus is actually in operation. In this embodiment, "commitment time" is used instead of "actual vehicle time." Specifically, it is calculated as "commitment time = actual vehicle time + deadheading time + time before and after leaving the depot (roll call inspection time)." The "time before and after leaving the depot" can be set for each bus company. For this reason, for example, the "time before and after leaving the depot" may be linked to each bus company and stored in advance in the storage unit 103 of the server 1 in response to an operation of the bus company device 3. This allows the server 1 to determine the "detention time" (= "actual vehicle time" + "depot time" + "time before and after leaving the depot") by calculation. For convenience, the ranking according to busy and slow periods will be explained as being the same as the AGT Group Fare Calendar 161 (Figure 17), but it is also possible to set up a calendar that assigns ranks to dates and use it as a reference. In this example, the "user condition information" indicates that a guide is required, a quote is requested from a travel agency (company aa) belonging to group A, and the operation dates are June 20th and 21st. Referring to the AGT Group Fare Calendar 161 (Figure 17(a)), for AA Bus, the rank of aa Company (Group A) on June 20th and 21st is identified as Rank A. Therefore, the server 1 refers to the guide fee master 157 (Figure 13) and determines a guide fee of 20,000 yen because the actual driving time on the first day of the guide was 6.5 hours (more than 5 hours but less than 24 hours), and determines a guide fee of 20,000 yen because the actual driving time on the second day was 5 hours (more than 5 hours but less than 24 hours). Therefore, the server 1 calculates the guide fee for the AA bus as 40,000 yen (= 20,000 yen + 20,000 yen). On the other hand, with regard to BB Bus, referring to the AGT Group Fare Calendar 161 (Figure 17(b)), the rank of Company aa (Group B) on June 20th and 21st is identified as Rank B. Therefore, the server 1 refers to the guide fee master 157 (Figure 13) and determines the guide fee to be 18,000 yen because the actual driving time on the first day was 6.5 hours (more than 5 hours but less than 24 hours), and determines the guide fee to be 18,000 yen because the actual driving time on the second day was 5 hours (more than 5 hours but less than 24 hours). Therefore, the server 1 calculates the guide fee for the BB bus to be 36,000 yen (= 18,000 yen + 18,000 yen). Specific examples of applying "constraint time" will be omitted.

[0055] "Paid return shipping fee" can be included in the price when a toll road (such as an expressway) is used and the return distance (the distance from the delivery office to the departure point or the distance from the arrival point to the return office) exceeds a specified distance (the toll return distance limit). The "predetermined distance (paid transport distance limit)" is determined for each sales office in the sales office master 154 (FIG. 10). Therefore, if the destination office is AA Bus C Office, the paid return distance limit is 10 km, so if the return distance exceeds 10 km, the return fee can be charged. In this example, the distance from AA Bus C Office to the departure and arrival points is 1.4 km (less than 10 km), so the paid return shipping fee cannot be recorded. Here, whether to use a toll road is a matter that the end user must choose. For this reason, if the delivery distance exceeds a predetermined distance (a toll delivery distance limit), the server 1 may, for example, notify the estimate information by including an approximate "toll delivery fee" if a toll road is used.

[0056] This allows the freight and charges to be calculated, and quotation information can be generated based on these calculation results. As a result, estimate information regarding the cost of chartered buses can be generated for the two bus companies, AA Bus and BB Bus. In the above example, we have explained the case where there are two bus operators (i.e., AA Bus and BB Bus are requested to make a quote), but there may be three or more bus operators (three or more companies are requested to make a quote).

[0057] The output means 114 outputs the estimate information regarding the price calculated by the calculation means 113 to the travel agency device 2. Specifically, a list of quotation information is generated, and the quotation list is sent to the travel agency device 2 of the travel agency that has requested the quotation. This allows the travel agency that has requested the quotation to display, print, or transmit the quotation list (competitive quotation information) to the user terminal on the travel agency device 2. The server 1 also transmits the estimate list to the bus operator device 3. This allows the bus operator to check the estimate results. FIG. 18 is an example of an estimate list. The top column shows the estimate information for the AA bus, and the bottom column shows the estimate information for the BB bus.

[0058] As described above, the estimate information may be generated automatically, but manual processing may also be involved. For example, the calculation of the fee may be performed and the estimate information may be transmitted to the bus operator device 3 so that the bus operator can check it in advance. If the confirmation shows that no corrections are necessary, the quotation information can be sent to the travel agency device 2 by performing an operation to that effect; if corrections are necessary, the corrections can be made and the corrected quotation information can be sent to the travel agency device 2.

[0059] (About the overbooking function) It is preferable for charter bus services to accept quotes and reservations for more buses than they actually have in stock. In the past, the operation management package maintained a limit on the number of OB vehicles, but was unable to accurately manage the number of OB vehicles. For this reason, the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment is equipped with an overbooking function (OB function) that allows the number of overbooking (OB) vehicles to be set using replacement vehicles or hired vehicles to be set by date, vehicle class, and business area. In addition, a "substitute vehicle" refers to the operation of a vehicle managed by another office of the same bus company, and a "chartered vehicle" refers to the operation of a vehicle managed by another bus company.

[0060] FIG. 19 is an example of vehicle utilization status information 162 relating to occupancy information of chartered buses at a bus company. The information shown in the figure is acquired by the server 1 through API cooperation with the operation management package of the bus operator device 3 of AA Bus. The acquired vehicle usage status information 162 is stored in the storage means 111 every time it is acquired. Therefore, the server 1 always stores the latest vehicle usage status information 162. FIG. 19 is an example of vehicle usage status information 162 of the offices (four offices: office a, office b, office c, and office d) belonging to the AA Bus business area: Okayama Prefecture on August 1st. As shown in the figure, the vehicle usage status information 162 is composed of bus company, date, office, vehicle class details, total number of vehicles, number of reserved vehicles, number of OB reserved vehicles, and number of charter reserved vehicles. "Total number" is the total number of rental buses in stock managed by the sales office. "Number of reserved buses" is the number of buses for hire that have been reserved (arranged). "Number of OB reserved vehicles" is the number of reserved vehicles including overbookings. "Number of vehicles reserved for hire" is the number of vehicles reserved, including overbooking due to hire.

[0061] FIG. 20 is a table showing an example of the OB setting information, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the OB function. FIG. 20 shows the number of large (12-row) OB buses set for each office in the AA Bus business area "Okayama Prefecture" on August 1st. As shown in Figure 21(a), if two units have been reserved at each of four sales offices, each with a total of two units, a sales office a, b, and c, and only sales office d has zero reservations (number of available units: 2), an estimate will be automatically generated with sales office d as the shipping destination. Here, the number of OB vehicles set is set for each business area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the number of OB vehicles set for the business area: Okayama prefecture is set to 10, each business office belonging to Okayama prefecture can freely OB within the range of 10 vehicles. For example, as shown in Figure 21(b), if the number of OB-set vehicles is 10 and the number of reserved vehicles is 3 for office a, 7 for office b, 4 for office c, and 2 for office d, the number of available vehicles at each office is zero, but the number of reserved OB vehicles is 1 for office a, 5 for office b, and 2 for office c, for a total of 8 vehicles, so the remaining 2 OBs are possible in this sales area. In this case, the number of available units at each sales office is set to "2" based on the number of available units taking into account the number of OB units set. This means that each office will appear to have only two available vehicles, so the office closest to the departure point can be used as the departure destination. The number of OB vehicles set in FIGS. 21(b) and 21(c) is assumed to be OB vehicles (that is, replacement vehicles) managed within the bus company.

[0062] FIG. 21(c) shows a case where, after FIG. 21(b), two reservations for vehicles are added with the delivery destination being Sales Office c. In this case, the actual number of available vehicles is zero, and even when the number of OB set vehicles is taken into consideration, the number of available vehicles is still zero.

[0063] The OB function when OB is performed using a loaner car and a chartered car will be described with reference to FIG. 21(d). FIG. 21(d) is an example in which the number of OB-set vehicles is 15, which is five more than in FIG. 21(c). These five vehicles are assumed to be chartered vehicles. Therefore, as shown in the figure, even if two vehicles are reserved with delivery to Sales Office B, a chartered vehicle can be allocated, and the remaining three vehicles can be allocated by OB. In this case, the number of available vehicles at each sales office is set to "3" based on the number of available vehicles taking into account the number of OB-set vehicles. This means that each office will appear to have three available vehicles, so the office closest to the departure point can be used as the departure destination.

[0064] The reason why the number of available vehicles, taking into account the number of OB vehicles set, is allocated to each sales office in this way is as follows. As a premise, the server 1 transmits occupancy information of each sales office to the travel agency device 2 in response to a request from the travel agency device 2, and causes the travel agency device 2 to display the information (Web display). That is, the server 1 includes a display control means 115 that causes the travel agency device 2 to display the number of available buses for hire for each office of the bus company that manages the chartered buses. However, for simplicity's sake, the availability of the OB function and the number of vehicles that can be OB are not notified. For this reason, travel agency employees may mistakenly assume that reservations are unavailable simply by looking at the number of available spaces. It is also possible to display the number of OB vehicles by sales area, but in that case it is difficult to know which sales office the vehicle will be shipped to. Therefore, in the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment, the number of available buses is allocated to each office, taking into account the number of OB buses set, so that such problems do not occur. Specifically, the server 1 is equipped with a rental car management means 116 that manages rental cars for each business area consisting of one or more offices, and the display control means 115 allocates the number of available rental cars to each office if there are available rental cars in the business area, even if there are no available cars at a specific office among the offices that make up the business area, and displays this number as the number of available rental buses on the travel agency device 2.

[0065] (Charter bus handling method) The chartered bus processing method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the chartered bus processing method of this embodiment. It is assumed that each travel agency device 2 has a travel business package installed, and each bus operator device 3 has an operation management package installed. It is also assumed that the DB 150 (FIG. 6), the AGT group fare calendar 161, the OB setting information 163, etc. are stored in the server 1 in advance. The chartered bus processing program on server 1 and the travel agency package on each travel agency device 2 are linked via an API, allowing server 1 to share some of the functions of each travel agency package (such as applying for a chartered bus and displaying quotation information). In addition, the chartered bus processing program on server 1 and the operation management package of each bus operator device 3 are linked via API, which allows server 1 to share some of the functions of each operation management package (such as obtaining the total number of vehicles at the office and the number of available vehicles).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 22, it is assumed that a quotation request for a chartered bus (quote request information is input) is made to the travel agency device 2 (S11). 24 and 25 are diagrams showing examples of input screens (web screens) for quotation request information. The quotation request information input screen can be displayed on the server 1 by accessing a predetermined URL from the travel agency device 2. As shown in these figures, when requesting a quote, you will enter information indicating the travel agency (Company AA) that is requesting the quote, the travel period (June 20th to June 21st), the number of people (20 people), the size of the vehicle (large), the number of vehicles (1), whether a guide is required (yes), whether overnight stays are required (no), and the itinerary for one trip (Day 1: departure point: Kurashiki Station, stop 1: Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, stop 2: Washuyama Observatory, stop 3: Kojima Jeans Street, arrival point: Okayama Hotel; Day 2: departure point: Okayama Hotel, stop 1: Bizen Pottery Workshop, stop 2: Okayama Korakuen, arrival point: Kurashiki Station). 24 and 25 show the screens that appear after the quotation request information has been entered. The travel agency name, telephone number, branch office, and person in charge are input by quoting from the AGT master 151 (FIG. 7) when the travel agency ID is input at login. The "travel agency system reservation record number" is a unique number assigned to each case. Tour name: "ABC Company Company Trip" is text information. Travel period: "June 20th" to "June 21st" can be selected from the calendar. Number of people: "20 people" is text information. Vehicle class: "Large" is the information selected in the combo box. Vehicle classes include large (12 rows, with toilet, etc.), medium, small, and special (salon car, lift-equipped bus). Number of units: "1 unit" is text information. The number of vehicles is judged to be correct or incorrect in relation to the vehicle class and the number of people. For example, if the maximum number of people allowed for a large vehicle is 24, then 24 people x number of vehicles: 1 vehicle = 24 people, and the number of people is "20 people" or more, so it is judged to be "correct." If the number is incorrect, an error message or a message prompting re-entry can be displayed. Estimate type: "Estimate / reservation required" is information selected by the radio button. Estimate types include estimate / reservation required and estimate / no reservation required. Travel type: "General" is information selected by the combo box. The travel type includes general, school education law application, welfare law application, and recruitment. Guide: "Required" is the information selected by the radio button. There are two types of guide: required and not required. Overnight stay: "No need" is information selected by the radio button. Overnight stay can be either required or not required. When you select "Next" on the first page of the quotation request input screen (Figure 24), the screen will transition to the quotation itinerary on the second page (Figure 25).

[0067] On the Estimated Itinerary screen (Figure 25), enter the itinerary for June 20th (first day) and the itinerary (details) for June 21st (second day). Specifically, enter the departure time and location names for the "departure point," "transit point," and "arrival point" for the first and second days. The departure time and location name can be easily entered by linking with the map search site 4. For example, on the first day, the itinerary is Kurashiki Station (starting point) - Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (way point 1) - Washuyama Observatory (way point 2) - Kojima Jeans Street (way point 3) - Okayama Hotel (arrival point), and the names of each location can be entered by specifying the point on the map. When a place name is input, the travel agency device 2 receives the location information (latitude, longitude) of the place name from the map search site 4, and stores the information in association with the corresponding departure point, intermediate point, and arrival point. The departure time is entered manually. In this case, based on API cooperation with the map search site 4, it is possible to judge whether the departure time is appropriate (to judge whether the entered departure time will not allow the bus to arrive at the stopover or destination by that time), and if it is judged to be inappropriate, to display a message to that effect and to prompt the user to re-enter the time. Furthermore, by linking with the API, it is possible to automatically input the departure time from each stopover and arrival point simply by inputting the departure time from the departure point. Specifically, the map search site 4 calculates the travel time from the departure point to the stopover, between stopovers, and from the stopover to the arrival point, and the calculated time, taking into account rest times, is input as the departure time for each stopover and arrival point. In addition, you can automatically enter the departure times of the transit points by simply entering the departure times of the departure point and the arrival point.

[0068] On the second day, enter the departure time and name of each point: Okayama Hotel (starting point) - Bizen Pottery Workshop (stopover 1) - Okayama Korakuen (stopover 2) - Kurashiki Station (arrival point). In addition to the above items, a memo section can also be provided. In addition, in the case of a manual quotation request, it is possible to attach a schedule (PDF or other image file) in addition to the quotation schedule described above. After the quotation request information is input, the travel agency device 2 transmits the quotation request information to the server 1. That is, all the information displayed in FIGS. 24 and 25 is sent to the server 1.

[0069] When the server 1 receives the quotation request information from the travel agency device 2, it generates quotation information (S12).

[0070] In generating estimate information, as shown in FIG. 23, first, a bus company is identified (S21). Specifically, the server 1 refers to the estimate request information and identifies bus operators that have offices at the departure and arrival points based on the office master 154 (FIG. 10). In this example, a bus company whose business area is Okayama Prefecture is identified. If multiple bus companies are identified, estimate information for the multiple bus companies will be generated. In this example, the AA bus and the BB bus are identified. If there is no corresponding bus operator, information to that effect is sent to the travel agency device 2.

[0071] Next, the business offices to which the goods are to be delivered and returned are identified (S22). Specifically, based on the location information of the departure point and the location information of each office, the nearest office closest to the departure point is identified as the departure destination, and based on the location information of the arrival point and the location information of each office, the nearest office closest to the arrival point is identified as the return destination.

[0072] However, the destination and return offices will be identified based on the occupancy information of each office. This is because there may not be any available units at the nearest sales office. Therefore, if the nearest branch office has available units, the nearest branch office will identify the branch office to which the vehicle is to be shipped or returned, but if the nearest branch office does not have available units, it will then identify other branches in its service area that have available units. Furthermore, if there are no available vehicles at any of the sales offices within the sales area, it is possible to use loaner vehicles or chartered vehicles managed by the sales area (OB function), and in this case, the nearest sales office can be identified as the sales office from which the vehicle will leave or return (see Figure 21, etc.). As for AA Bus, since the departure point and arrival point are Kurashiki Station, based on the location information of each AA Bus office and the location information of Kurashiki Station, office c is identified as the nearest office. Since BB Bus only has f office, f office is identified.

[0073] Next, the travel distance and travel time are calculated (S23). The travel distance is the sum of the deadhead distance and the actual vehicle distance, and the travel time is the sum of the deadhead time, the actual vehicle time, and the inspection time. In this example, as described above, the travel distance of the AA bus is calculated to be 80 km and the travel time is calculated to be 14 hours. The BB bus's travel distance is calculated to be 224 km and its travel time is calculated to be 17 hours.

[0074] Next, the kilometer-based fare and the time-based fare are determined (S24). In other words, the unit price is determined as a kilometer fare, which is the fare per kilometer, and an hourly fare, which is the fare per hour. These have a minimum limit set in the standard fares and charges (see Figure 16). For this reason, the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment is designed to comply with these regulations and allows the bus operator to set a rank for each travel agency (see Figure 12), and further allows the bus operator to set this rank for each date (see Figure 17). This allows bus operators to set unit prices that take into account their relationship with travel agencies (for example, based on past transactions, they may be willing to accept CC Bus even if it is cheaper), or unit prices that correspond to busy and slow periods such as weekdays, holidays, and seasons (for example, they may want to offer higher prices during busy periods than during slow periods). This will make it possible to set prices that take into account the intentions and wishes of bus operators. In this example, as described above, the kilometer-based fare for AA buses is determined to be 210 yen, and the time-based fare is determined to be 7,230 yen. For BB Bus, the kilometer-based fare will be 170 yen and the time-based fare will be 6,110 yen.

[0075] Next, the fare is calculated (S25). The fare is calculated based on the distance and time calculated in S23 and the kilometer-based fare and time-based fare determined in S24. Specifically, the distance fare is calculated by multiplying the distance traveled by the kilometer-based fare, the hourly fare is calculated by multiplying the travel time by the hourly fare, and the fare is calculated by adding up these calculation results. In this example, for AA Bus, the distance fare is calculated to be 16,800 yen and the hourly fare is calculated to be 101,220 yen, resulting in a total fare of 118,020 yen. For BB Bus, the distance fare is calculated to be 38,080 yen and the hourly fare is 103,870 yen, resulting in a total fare of 141,950 yen.

[0076] Next, the fee is calculated (S26). Specifically, there are surcharges for late-night and early-morning operations, charges for assigning replacement drivers, surcharges for special vehicles, guide fees, and paid return shipping fees, and the necessary fees are calculated from these. In this example, a guide fee applies. For AA buses, the guide fee is calculated as 40,000 yen, and for BB buses, the guide fee is calculated as 36,000 yen. The applicable conditions and calculation methods for each fee are as described above, so explanations will be omitted.

[0077] Then, estimate information is generated (S27). Specifically, estimate information is generated based on the fare calculated in S25 and the fee calculated in S26. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, it is possible to automatically generate a quote list that allows comparison of quotes from multiple bus companies (in this example, AA Bus and BB Bus).

[0078] Returning to FIG. 22, the server 1 then transmits the quotation information to the travel agency device 2 (S14). This allows the travel agency to check the quotation information. The server 1 can also transmit estimate information to the bus operator device 3. This allows bus operators to check the quote information as well.

[0079] Next, the server 1 stores the estimate information (S15). Specifically, the unique estimate number (in this example, 20220501001) is linked to the data and stored in the storage unit 103. This allows you to smoothly identify the project and its contents when later checking the estimate, making a reservation (arrangement), or changing or deleting.

[0080] Next, it is determined whether or not a reservation is required (S16). Specifically, it is confirmed whether the "quote type" in the quotation request information is "quote / reservation required" or "quote / reservation not required." If a reservation is not required (S16-No), that is, if a quote / reservation is not required, the process ends. If a reservation is required (S16-Yes), that is, if a quote / reservation is required, the ordering process is executed.

[0081] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the arrangement process. As shown in the figure, first, the server 1 executes a dispensing instruction (S31). For example, when quotation information is generated for multiple bus operators, information is sent to the travel agency device 2 to confirm which bus operator's chartered bus to reserve, and one bus operator is selected based on the reply result, and arrangement information for the selected bus operator is sent to the bus operator device 3. As a result, the travel agency places an order for the rental bus, and the bus company completes the order for the rental bus.

[0082] Next, the vehicle is allocated (S32). Specifically, the bus operator will secure the vehicle. For example, when an arrangement instruction is given to AA Bus, one large vehicle will be secured at Sales Office c for the operation days of June 20th and 21st. When the vehicle allocation is completed, the bus operator device 3 notifies the server 1 of the completion of allocation in response to an operation by an employee.

[0083] Next, the server 1 generates, saves, and notifies the order information (S33). Specifically, information about the completed case and its contents is generated and saved together with the order number. The server 1 transmits (notifies) the arrangement information to the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3.

[0084] This section explains the procedure for changing and deleting an already arranged matter. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the change / order process. As shown in the figure, first, the server 1 is accessed (S41). Specifically, a specific URL is entered into the web browser of the travel agency device 2. This will take you to the change / delete web page, which has a field for entering the order number.

[0085] Next, the case is identified and notified based on the order number (S42). Specifically, enter the order number of the item to be changed or deleted in the order number input field on the web page. Next, it is determined whether the change or deletion is to be performed (S43). Specifically, it is determined whether the employee has selected "change" or "delete" through operation of the travel agency device 2.

[0086] If a change is required (S43-change), the content is changed (S44). Specifically, the travel period, vehicle class, number of vehicles, etc. can be changed. Next, the vehicle is allocated (S45). Then, the arrangement information is generated, saved, and notified (S47). The allocation of vehicles in S45 is the same process as in S32, and the generation, storage, and notification of arrangement information in S47 are the same as in S33, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0087] In the case of deletion (S43-delete), the case is deleted (S48). For example, the saved data of the case is deleted.

[0088] Thus, in the chartered bus processing method of the present invention, the process of performing information processing between multiple travel agency devices 2 and multiple bus operator devices 3 includes the following steps: a first step of storing bus operator condition information indicating the conditions of the bus operator that can be input by the bus operator device 3; a second step of extracting from multiple bus operators bus operators that can provide a rental bus that meets both the user's conditions and the bus operator's conditions based on the user condition information indicating the conditions of the user of the chartered bus that can be input by the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator condition information; a third step of calculating the price of the chartered bus from the bus operator extracted in the second step based on the user condition information and the bus operator condition information; and a fourth step of outputting estimate information based on the price calculated in the third step to the travel agency device 2.

[0089] (For other configurations) Status Management The server 1 stores and updates status information for each of the various states after receiving a request for quotation. For example, when the quotation request screen is displayed but the quotation request has not been completed, the status is stored as "Quotation request (not completed)", when the quotation request has been completed (quote request information has been received), the status is updated to "Quotation request (completed)", when the quotation information has been sent, the status is updated to "Quotation response (completed)", when a formal order has been placed by the travel agency with the bus operator, the status is updated to "Ordered", and when the bus operator has processed the order, the status is updated to "Ordered". When a change request is made, the status is updated to "change request", and then updated to "change received" upon receipt. Also, when a cancellation (deletion) request is made, the status is updated to "cancellation request", and then updated to "cancellation received" upon receipt. Each time this status information is updated, it is sent to the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3 so that it can be displayed. This allows the status of each case to be shared between the travel agency and the bus operator. This can reduce reservation errors (for example, forgetting to make a reservation, forgetting to arrange, forgetting to delete, etc.).

[0090] -Reminder function When the reservation is completed, the server 1 can set (store) a date several days before the operation date (for example, the day before) as the reminder date. At this time, the email addresses of travel agency employees (persons in charge) and end users can also be registered as recipients of reminder information. This allows Server 1 to send reminder information (for example, "A chartered bus has been booked for tomorrow, on XX / XX. Please arrive at Kurashiki Station by XX:XX") to the registered email address on the reminder date.

[0091] Quote expiration date The server 1 can automatically set and notify the expiration date of the quotation information. For example, the expiration date can be one year. In this case, if the quotation information is sent on May 1, 2022, the server 1 stores May 1, 2023 in the storage means 111 as the last day of the validity period. Server 1 can include "Quote expiration date: May 1, 2023" in the quote information. In this case, the server 1 can delete the project information when the quotation expiration date (May 1, 2023) is reached or exceeded.

[0092] Designation of bus operators It is also possible to allow travel agencies to choose from when requesting quotes. In this case, for example, a field for specifying the party to whom a quote is to be requested can be provided in the quote request information, and if the party to whom a quote is to be requested is entered in that field in the received quote request information, server 1 can calculate the fare and charges for the bus company that is the party to whom a quote is to be requested, generate quote information, and send it to the travel agency. Furthermore, the server 1 can extract bus operators with available vehicles based on the quotation request information and transmit a list of these to the travel agency device 2. In this case, the travel agency device 2 may display the received list of bus operators, allowing the employee to select any bus operator from the list. When the travel agency device 2 receives the information on the selected bus company, it calculates the fare and charges for that bus company, generates estimate information, and transmits it to the travel agency.

[0093] Display of standard fares and charges in quotation information By including the specified fare and charges in the estimate information, it is possible to display on the travel agency device 2 that the price is above the specified minimum amount. For example, in this example, since the vehicle is a large vehicle operated by the Chugoku Transport Bureau, the minimum kilometer fare is 150 yen and the minimum hourly fare is 5,010 yen, which are displayed in the estimate list. This allows end users such as travel agencies to double-check that the price is above the minimum limit, and it also allows them to demonstrate that compliance with laws and regulations and fair fare prices are guaranteed, giving end users a sense of security.

[0094] Remote support The travel agency device 2 only needs to be under the control of the bus operator, and does not need to be installed at the travel agency. The same applies to the bus operator device 3, which does not need to be installed at the bus operator. This allows, for example, an employee of a travel agency, who has a terminal device such as a PC or mobile terminal, to remotely access the server 1 from a remote location other than the company, such as their home or a satellite office, to request a quote, etc.

[0095] As described above, the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment includes a server 1 that performs information processing between multiple travel agency devices 2 and multiple bus operator devices 3, a storage means 111 that stores bus operator condition information (office master 154, AGT group master 155, AGT group fare master 156, AGT group fare calendar 161, etc.) that indicates the conditions of the bus operator and can be input by the bus operator device 3, an extraction means 112 that extracts from multiple bus operators bus operators that can provide a rental bus that meets both the user's conditions and the bus operator's conditions based on user condition information (quote request information, etc.) that indicates the conditions of the user of the chartered bus and can be input by the travel agency device 2, a calculation means 113 that calculates the price of the chartered bus from the bus operator extracted by the extraction means 112 based on the user condition information and the bus operator condition information, and an output means 114 that outputs quotation information based on the price calculated by the calculation means 113 to the travel agency device 2. This makes it possible to automatically generate a quote that meets the conditions of both the travel agency (including the end user) and the bus operator. This makes it possible to provide a charter bus ordering system that is useful for both parties. In particular, in the past, employees had to take the time to check whether the calculated price met the regulations (whether it was above the specified minimum amount), and furthermore, prices were set differently for each travel agency at the discretion of the employee, which resulted in variations in pricing and a lack of consistency and reproducibility.However, with the chartered bus ordering system of the present invention, server 1 automatically executes estimates that meet the regulations, eliminating these conventional problems.

[0096] In addition, in the chartered bus ordering and purchasing system of this embodiment, the bus company condition information includes regulation information (such as AGT group fare master 156), which is information regarding regulations for chartered bus services, and the extraction means 112 extracts bus companies that can provide rental buses that meet both the user's conditions and regulations based on the user condition information and regulation information. In addition, in the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment, the bus company condition information includes standard unit prices for each travel agency and each date (AGT group fare master 156, AGT group fare calendar 161, etc.) which can be input by the bus company device 3, and the calculation means 113 calculates the price of a chartered bus from the bus company extracted by the extraction means 112 based on the operation date included in the user condition information (travel period, estimated itinerary, etc. in the quotation request information) and the standard unit price included in the bus company condition information. This allows automatic generation of quotes that meet the conditions of travel agencies (including end users) and bus operators, as well as regulations. This allows estimates to be generated easily and accurately.

[0097] In addition, the chartered bus ordering system of this embodiment is equipped with a display control means 115 that causes the travel agency device 2 to display the number of available rental buses for each bus company office that manages the chartered buses, and a loaner vehicle management means 116 that manages loaner vehicles for each business area consisting of one or more offices.Even if there are no available vehicles at a specific office among the offices that make up the business area, if there are available loaner vehicles in the business area, the display control means 115 allocates the number of available loaner vehicles to each office and displays them as the number of available rental buses on the travel agency device. This allows the system to show or process a vehicle as available even if there are no available vehicles at each sales office if there are replacement vehicles or chartered vehicles in the sales area.

[0098] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. The configuration of the chartered bus ordering system is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and some or all of the configuration of one device may be provided by another device. For example, although the configuration has been described in which quotation request information is sent from the travel agency device 2 to the server 1 by operating the travel agency device 2, the quotation request information may also be stored in the storage means 111 by, for example, inserting a storage medium storing the quotation request information into the server 1 or manually entering the quotation request information into the server 1. Also, an automatic estimate does not have to be used. For example, when a request for an estimate is made, the server 1 notifies the bus operator device 3 of the bus operator extracted by the extraction means 112. In this case, an employee of the bus operator manually prepares an estimate and returns the estimate information to the travel agency or the travel agency device 2 via the server 1.

[0099] In addition, a user terminal (not shown) such as a personal computer or smartphone owned by the end user may be provided. In this case, the user terminal and the travel agency device 2 are capable of communicating, and the travel agency device 2 accepts the chartered bus service online in response to the operation of the user terminal. The travel agency device 2 then transmits the information entered at the time of acceptance to the server 1, and various processes such as quotation and reservation for the chartered bus service are then carried out by the server 1. Alternatively, the user terminal and the server 1 may communicate directly in response to an operation of the user terminal, without going through the travel agency device 2, and the server 1 may execute processes such as quotation and reservation for chartered bus services.

[0100] It is also possible to establish a system that allows bus operators to mutually support each other in assets and facilities such as parking lots and chartered buses. For example, calendar information that can identify vacant parking spaces and vacant buses is stored in the server 1, and can be viewed (shared) on the terminal devices (bus company devices, etc.) of each bus company. This means that, for example, bus operators who do not have available parking spaces at their offices can apply online to other bus operators to rent out their parking spaces, and bus operators who do not have available rental buses at their offices can apply online to other bus operators to rent out (charter) their buses.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, a package program is installed in the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3, and the server 1 and the travel agency device 2 and the bus operator device 3 are configured to cooperate via API, but the present invention can be implemented even without these configurations. In this case, for example, the bus operator device 3 can transmit vehicle vacancy information (number of vacant vehicles by date and vehicle class, number of replacement vehicles, number of chartered vehicles, etc.) in advance for each bus operator, each operating section, and each operating office, and store this information in the server 1, which can then be referenced when a request for a quote is received.

[0102] The estimate list shown in FIG. 18 is an example, and various information can be incorporated into the list. For example, the list can include end user names, trip duration, itinerary (start point, stopover points, destination points), etc. This makes it easy to confirm whether a request for quotation has been received from multiple travel agencies for the same project, for example, when the same end user requests competitive quotations from multiple travel agencies. For example, by displaying quote lists side by side or overlapping them, it is easy to visually determine whether they are for the same project or not. In this regard, with the conventional manual method, it was time-consuming to perform similar estimate work for the same project while paying attention to regulations and travel agencies each time.However, on the other hand, performing estimate work from different perspectives can sometimes lack consistency and reproducibility, which was extremely wasteful and cumbersome for bus company employees. In addition, in the past, there was a risk of double booking of chartered buses and the resulting excess inventory, resulting in lost opportunities. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent double reservations and lost opportunities by displaying estimate lists and statuses.

[0103] The travel agency device 2 may also adopt a "client-server model." Specifically, a travel agency server and terminal devices (clients) that can be operated by employees are installed within the travel agency in a state where they can communicate via a LAN or the like. For example, when an employee of a travel agency requests a quote using the chartered bus ordering system, he or she can access the travel agency server by operating a terminal device, and based on this access, the travel agency server can access server 1, allowing data communication between travel agency device 2 and server 1. Interdepartmental communication can also be carried out via communication between terminal devices. For example, when an order is placed with a bus operator from a terminal device at a travel agency's sales site (outside the company), a notification to that effect is sent to a terminal device in the travel agency's bus procurement and arrangement department (inside the company), and once the department has carried out the required processing (approval processing, etc.), the order information is sent to server 1. The server 1 can process orders to bus operators based on the order information received from the travel agency device 2. Similarly, the bus operator device 3 can adopt a "client-server model."

[0104] (Guide related) The chartered bus system of the present invention is provided with an additional function that allows for the management and provision of information about guides. FIG. 28 is a functional configuration diagram of the server 1 having a configuration capable of managing and providing guide information. As shown in the figure, the server 1 (control unit 101) includes a guide information storage means 121, a remaining guide number calculation means 122, a first display control means 123, a second display control means 124, a bus information storage means 125, a remaining bus number calculation means 126, and an estimate limiting means 127. Each means will be described below. Note that the storage means 111, extraction means 112, calculation means 113, output means 114, display control means 115, and loan car management means 116 have the same configuration as described above (see FIG. 5), so their description will be omitted.

[0105] The guide information storage means 121 stores information about guides (guide information) including the total number of guides and the number of reservations for guides in the storage unit 103. Guide information is managed by each bus company, just like chartered buses (vehicles), but while chartered buses are managed by prefecture (operating area), guides are managed by area, which is different from the operating area. That is, guide information is managed for each group of offices belonging to the same area. This group is called a "office office group for guide management." Note that guide management office groups do not have to be set for each area, but can be set arbitrarily by the bus company, for example.

[0106] FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a guide management office group. A guide management office group is made up of one or more offices that belong to the same area. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, AA Bus has guide management office groups for the Okayama area and the Okayama North area in Okayama prefecture. The Okayama area group consists of three offices, A to C, and the Okayama North area group consists of one office, D. The definition (conditions) of the same area and the offices belonging to one group may be set arbitrarily by the bus operator. For example, if a sales office in Hiroshima Prefecture (called sales office e) is close to sales office d in Okayama Prefecture (i.e., they can be determined to be in the same area), the group for the Okayama North area may be made up of two sales offices, sales office d and sales office e, and the group for the Hiroshima area may be made up of two sales offices, sales office d and sales office e.

[0107] FIG. 30 is a chart showing an example of guide information stored by the guide information storage means 121. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 30, the guide information includes the total number of company guides, the total number of other company guides, the total number of guides, the number of guide reservations, the number of remaining guides, the ratio of remaining guides, etc., and is stored in association with the bus operator, guide management office group, vehicle class, operation date, and time slot. Figure 30 shows an example of the total number of company guides, total number of other company guides, total number of guides, number of guide reservations, number of remaining guides, and remaining guide ratio for the operation date: April 21st, vehicle type: large, bus operator: AA Bus, guide management office group: Okayama area. Detailed illustrations are omitted, but guide information is registered and managed in a manner that links together bus operator, operation date (corresponding to "date"), guide management office group, vehicle class (corresponding to "vehicle class details"), total number of company guides, total number of other company guides, total number of guides (corresponding to "total number"), number of guide reservations (corresponding to "number of reserved vehicles"), remaining number of guides, and remaining guide ratio, for example, as shown in the vehicle usage information in Figure 19. Please note that the guide arrangement and management does not include functions for OB or chartered vehicles.

[0108] Of these, the “number of guide reservations” is managed by a program (operation management package) stored in the bus operator device 3. The operation management package has a function of storing the number of guide reservations in the storage unit 203 of the bus business device 3, and when a guide reservation process is executed manually or automatically, the stored number of guide reservations is updated. The operation management package (bus operator device 3) is linked to the server 1, and every time the number of guide reservations is updated (reserved), the updated number of guide reservations is sent to the server 1. Therefore, the server 1 can receive and acquire the number of guided tour reservations transmitted from the bus operator device 3 every time the number of guided tour reservations is updated.

[0109] Other guide information (guide information other than the number of guide reservations) does not depend on the operation management package, but like the number of guide reservations, is sent from the bus operator device 3 to the server 1 in response to an operation of the bus operator device 3. The server 1 receives and acquires guide information transmitted from the bus operator device 3 (for example, the total number of guides from the bus operator's company, the total number of guides from other companies). The guide information transmitted from the bus operator device 3 may be information for each business office. In this case, when the server 1 receives the number of guide reservations and the number of guides for each office, it identifies the "office group for guide management" and calculates the total number as the "number of guide reservations" and the "total number of guides." In this way, the server 1 stores part of the guide information received from the bus operator device 3 (e.g., number of guide reservations, total number of company guides, total number of other company guides) as is, or stores guide information calculated based on this information (e.g., total number of guides, remaining number of guides, remaining guide ratio).

[0110] "Total number of company guides" is the total number of guides in the sales group for guide management. In other words, it is the total number of guides who belong to each sales office in the same area. The "total number of company guides" is set and stored in accordance with the operation of the bus operator device 3. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the bus company is AA Bus, the guide management office group is Okayama area, the operation date is April 21st, and the total number of company guides in the large vehicle category is "8" (FIG. 30).

[0111] "Total number of guides from other companies" is the number of guides that can be dispatched from other companies (for example, external guide dispatch companies affiliated with the bus operator). "Total number of guides from other companies" is the estimated number of guides that can be dispatched from other companies to the guide management office group. The "total number of other company guides" is set and stored in response to an operation of the bus operator device 3. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the bus company is AA Bus, the guide management office group is Okayama area, the operation date is April 21st, and the vehicle class is large, and the ``total number of other company guides'' is ``2'' (Figure 30).

[0112] "Total number of guides" is the sum (total number) of the total number of guides from our company and the total number of guides from other companies. In other words, "Total number of guides" includes the number of guides that can be dispatched from outside (total number of guides from other companies). Therefore, the "total number of guides" means the maximum number of guides that can be arranged in a guide management sales office group. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the bus operator is AA Bus, the guide management office group is Okayama area, the operation date is April 21st, and the vehicle class is large, with the "total number of guides" being "10" (= total number of our own guides: 8 + total number of guides from other companies: 2) (Figure 30).

[0113] "Number of guide reservations" is the number of guides that have been booked. The "number of guide reservations" is the total number of guide reservations in the guide management sales office group. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the bus company is AA Bus, the guide management office group is Okayama area, the operation date is April 21st, and the vehicle class is large, and the "number of guide reservations" is "8" (Figure 30).

[0114] "Number of remaining guides" is guide information calculated by subtracting the total number of guide reservations from the total number of guides. The "guide information" is calculated by the remaining guide number calculation means 122 based on the total number of guides and the number of guide reservations. Therefore, the "remaining number of guides" means the number of guides that can actually be arranged in the guide management sales office group. In other words, the "remaining number of guides" can be said to be information indicating the availability of guides for each guide management sales office group. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the "number of remaining guides" is "2" (= total number of guides: 10 - number of guide reservations: 8) for the bus company: AA Bus, guide management office group: Okayama area, operation date: April 21st, and vehicle class: large (Figure 30).

[0115] The "remaining number of guides" will be shown to the bus operator upon request. Specifically, the server 1 (control unit 101), as the first display control means 123, transmits information (first information) regarding the remaining number of guides to the bus operator device 3, and the bus operator device 3 displays the received remaining number of guides on the display device 305. In the example of this embodiment, when the server 1 receives information from the AA Bus bus operator device 3 indicating a request to display the "remaining number of guides" for the guide management office group: Okayama area, operation date: April 21st, and vehicle class: large, the server 1 extracts the guide information stored in the memory unit 103 and returns it to the bus operator device 3. Based on the received guide information, AA Bus's bus operator device 3 (display device 305) displays the remaining number of guides for bus operator: AA Bus, guide management office group: Okayama area, operation date: April 21st, and vehicle class: large. This allows each bus operator to accurately determine the number of guides they can arrange for each area. However, the "number of remaining guides" is not shown to the travel agency, but instead, "information suggesting the number of remaining guides" is shown, as described below.

[0116] The "remaining guide number ratio" is the ratio (proportion) of the remaining number of guides to the total number of guides. The server 1 (control unit 101) calculates the "remaining guide number ratio" by "remaining number of guides / total number of guides." In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the ``remaining guide ratio'' for the bus operator: AA Bus, guide management office group: Okayama area, operation date: April 21st, and vehicle class: large is ``0.20'' (= remaining guides 2 / total guides 10) (Figure 30).

[0117] The server 1 (control unit 101), as the second display control means 124, causes the travel agency device 2 to display information (second information) relating to the remaining number of guides. Specifically, the server 1 transmits "information suggesting the remaining number of guides" as the second information to the travel agency device 2, and the travel agency device 2 receives the second information transmitted from the server 1 and displays it on the display device 205. In the chartered bus system of this embodiment, a symbol can be displayed as the second information. That is, the second display control means 124 causes a symbol (second information) corresponding to the ratio of remaining guides to be displayed on the travel agency device 2. This symbol corresponds to the ratio of remaining guides, and therefore can also be said to be information corresponding to the number of remaining guides. For example, the server 1 transmits information about a symbol corresponding to the remaining guide number ratio to the travel agency device 2, and the travel agency device 2 displays the symbol based on the received information.

[0118] A plurality of types of symbols can be set depending on the ratio of remaining guides. For example, it can be set as follows: "0.3≦remaining guide number ratio" is "◯", "0.2≦remaining guide number ratio<0.3" is "△", and "remaining guide number ratio<0.2" is "×". The information is not limited to symbols, but may be graphics, letters, numbers, or other information that indicates the availability of guides, such as the number of remaining guides or the ratio of remaining guides. Furthermore, the number of levels is not limited to three, i.e., circle, triangle, and cross, but may be two or less levels or four or more levels. In this embodiment, the AA Bus bus operator device 3 (display unit) determines based on the received guide information that the "remaining guide ratio" for bus operator: AA Bus, guide management office group: Okayama area, operation date: April 21st, and vehicle class: large is "0.2", and therefore the symbol "△" corresponding to this remaining guide ratio is displayed on the travel agency device 2. This allows each travel agency to get an overview of the availability of guides by area (group) for each bus operator.

[0119] As described above, the chartered bus system of this embodiment is equipped with a guide information storage means 121 that stores the total number of guides and the number of guide reservations, a remaining guide number calculation means 122 that calculates the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of guide reservations, a first display control means 123 that causes the bus operator device 3 to display first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides, and a second display control means 124 that causes the travel agency device 2 to display second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, and the remaining number of guides is displayed as the first information, and information (symbol) indicating the remaining number of guides is displayed as the second information.

[0120] In other words, in the chartered bus system of this embodiment, the "number of remaining guides" of the bus company is shown to the bus company, and "information suggesting the number of remaining guides" of each bus company is made public to travel agencies. The effect will be explained by taking as an example a case where the remaining guide number is "1" and the remaining guide number ratio is "less than 0.2". In this case, the bus operator can accurately grasp the remaining number of guides that can be arranged ("1"), and by subscribing to the service related to this system, they can properly manage guides. In response to this, an "X" will be displayed to the travel agency, and when the travel agency staff sees this, they will understand that "X = 0 remaining guides = no available guides" and will likely give up on requesting a quote or placing an order with that bus company.However, on the other hand, if a travel agency knows that "X does not necessarily mean 0 remaining guides," they can be given preferential treatment by allocating guides that correspond to the actual remaining number. Also, since "x does not necessarily mean that the number of remaining guides is 0," if the number of remaining guides is 1, a guide corresponding to that number of remaining guides can be secured as a spare guide. Therefore, even if a person is unable to board the chartered bus due to an emergency such as illness on the day of operation, the remaining guides can be arranged as backup guides without having to secure a specialized backup guide in advance.

[0121] The disclosure of "information suggesting the number of remaining guides" can be set by each bus operator at their own discretion. Specifically, depending on whether the bus operator device 3 is turned on or off, the operator can select whether to make public or private information indicating the remaining number of guides of the operator. The server 1 stores the "on" information and "off information" in the storage unit 103 in association with the information of the bus company that made the request based on the above operation. As a result, when on information is stored, the "information suggesting the number of remaining guides" for the bus operator linked to that information can be displayed on the travel agency device 2, but when off information is stored, the "information suggesting the number of remaining guides" for the bus operator linked to that information cannot be displayed on the travel agency device 2.

[0122] Instead of "x", the symbol "*" can be displayed to indicate that an inquiry is required. For example, in response to an operation of the bus operator device 3, one of "x" and "*" can be selected as the symbol to be displayed when the "ratio of remaining guide numbers<0.2". If "*" is displayed, travel agency employees can find out whether a guide is available (whether there are any remaining or how many are remaining) by contacting the designated contact point. It should be noted that the "remaining number of guides" can be applied instead of or in addition to the "remaining number of guides ratio." Also, for example, if "remaining number of guides≦0", "x" may be displayed, or if "0<remaining number of guides ratio<0.2", "*" may be displayed.

[0123] (Regarding remaining number of guides and chartered buses and availability) The remaining number of guides and the remaining number of buses can be displayed together, and information suggesting the remaining number of guides and information suggesting the remaining number of buses can be displayed together. The method for calculating the remaining number of buses will be described below. The number of remaining buses is calculated based on the total number of chartered buses (total number of buses) and the number of chartered bus reservations (number of reserved buses), just like the number of remaining guides. In other words, the number of remaining buses is the total number of buses minus the number of reserved buses. However, unlike the remaining number of guides managed for each group, the remaining number of buses is calculated for each office using the total number of buses and the number of reserved buses managed for each office. For example, as shown in Figure 19, rented buses (vehicles) are managed by bus company, date, business office, and vehicle class (vehicle class details), and the total number of buses, which corresponds to the total number of buses, and the number of bus reservations, which corresponds to the number of reserved buses, are linked and managed as bus information. Time slots can also be added to the bus information (not shown). In other words, the server 1 is equipped with a bus information storage means 125 that stores bus information including the total number of buses and the number of bus reservations for each office, and a remaining bus number calculation means 126 that calculates the remaining number of buses for each office based on the total number of buses and the number of bus reservations. Then, the first display control means 123 of the server 1 causes the bus operator device 3 to display both the number of remaining guides and the number of remaining buses as the first information.

[0124] FIG. 31 shows a bus guide remaining number display screen displayed on the bus operator device 3 (display device 305). As shown in the figure, the remaining number of guides and the remaining number of buses can be displayed together. For example, an employee of a bus company can operate the bus company device 3 of his / her own company to display the remaining number of buses and guides on the remaining bus guide number display screen. For example, FIG. 31 shows a bus guide remaining number display screen displayed on the bus operator device 3 (display device 305) of AA Bus. This screen is a bus guide remaining number display screen when the prefecture: Okayama, vehicle class: large, and display period: April 15, 2024 to July 15, 2024 are specified by operating the operating device 304. As a result, for example, AA Bus employees can see that there are 5 buses and 5 guides remaining on April 15th, and that there is 1 bus and 1 guide remaining on April 20th (Figure 31). In other words, by specifying the area (area of ​​the guide management office group), vehicle class, and operation date (display period), bus operators can grasp both the number of remaining guides and buses for their company in the specified area, vehicle class, and operation date. This allows bus operators to simultaneously grasp the number of remaining guides as well as the number of remaining buses, allowing them to appropriately manage and arrange guides and vehicles.

[0125] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an availability display screen displayed on the travel agency device 2 (display device 205). As shown in the figure, the guide availability and the vehicle availability (bus availability) can be displayed together. The availability display screen allows travel agency employees to operate their own travel agency device 2 to display information indicating the relevant availability of vehicles and guides (i.e., information indicating the number of remaining buses and guides). For example, FIG. 32 shows an availability display screen displayed on the travel agency device 2 (display device 205) of a certain travel agency. This screen is an availability display screen when the prefecture: Okayama, vehicle class: large, and display period: April 15, 2024 to July 15, 2024 are specified by operating the operation device 304. As a result, for example, a travel agency employee can know that the availability of AA buses and guides on April 15th is both "Good," and that the availability of AA buses and guides on April 20th is both "Poor." In addition, a travel agency employee can know that the availability of BB buses on April 15th is "Good" and the availability of guides is "Poor," and that the availability of BB buses on April 20th is "Poor" and the availability of guides is "Good." In other words, by specifying the area (area of ​​the guide management office group), vehicle class, and operation date (display period), travel agencies can grasp both the availability of buses and guides for each bus operator in the specified area, vehicle class, and operation date. This allows travel agencies to simultaneously grasp the availability of guides and buses at each bus operator, and can use this information when ordering guides and vehicles or requesting quotes. In Figure 32, "○: Available", "△: Limited availability", "※: Please inquire", and "×: Full" are displayed as <Vacancy status>, and "Availability", "△: Limited availability", "※: Please inquire", and "×: No availability" are displayed as <Guide availability status>, but the display format is not limited to this. For example, either "*: Please inquire" and "x: Full" or "x: No vacancies" may be displayed. Alternatively, only the symbols may be displayed.

[0126] (Limitation of automatic quotation output) The chartered bus system of this embodiment is a system that performs information processing between multiple travel agency devices 2 and multiple bus operator devices 3, and its basic feature is that it automatically creates and outputs quotation information that meets the conditions of both the travel agency terminal 2 and the bus operator device 3. That is, it is equipped with a storage means 111 that stores bus operator condition information that indicates the conditions of the bus operator and can be input by the bus operator device 3, an extraction means 112 that extracts bus operators that can provide a rental bus that meets both the user's conditions and the bus operator's conditions from among multiple bus operators based on user condition information that indicates the conditions of the user of a chartered bus and the bus operator condition information that can be input by the travel agency device 2, a calculation means 113 that calculates the price of a chartered bus from the bus operator extracted by the extraction means 112 based on the user condition information and the bus operator condition information, and an output means 114 that outputs estimate information based on the price calculated by the calculation means 113 to the travel agency device 2.

[0127] However, problems may arise if quotation information is automatically created and output uniformly for all quotation requests. In other words, there are cases where making an artificial response brings about greater benefits for one or both parties, and cases where not making an artificial response brings about less disadvantages for one or both parties. For example, if quotation information is created and output uniformly for all quotation requests that state "guide required" when the number of remaining guides is 0, the travel agency that receives the quotation information will likely perceive the bus company that sent the quotation information as "accepting orders" and therefore "possible to place orders," and the actions of the bus company that responded even though they were unable to arrange a guide could become a problem later on. Furthermore, problems can arise not only when the remaining number of guides is not 0, but also when the remaining number of guides is small. For example, when the number of remaining guides is 1 and multiple travel agencies (say, travel agency A and travel agency B) request quotes for a "guide required," the bus operator may wish to prioritize orders from travel agency A over travel agency B for various reasons. However, since the bus operator is forced to prioritize the earliest reservation associated with the quote request or order, the bus operator's wishes may not be reflected.

[0128] Therefore, in the chartered bus system of this embodiment, when the "remaining number of guides who can automatically respond" is equal to or greater than the "number of guides required for a quote request," server 1 allows the automatic generation and output of quote information, and when the "remaining number of guides who can automatically respond" is less than the "number of guides required for a quote request," it restricts the automatic generation and output of quote information. Specifically, if the number of guides required for the quotation request is less than or equal to the "remaining number of guides who can automatically reply" = "number of guides who can automatically reply for quotation" - "number of guide reservations", it is determined that there are available guides and the quotation information is automatically generated and output. The "number of guides who can automatically reply" is calculated for each route, each operation date, each vehicle class, and each issuing office. In other words, the "number of guides who can automatically respond to estimates" is managed for each sales office, unlike the "total number of guides" which is managed for each sales group for guide management. Note that the "number of guides who can automatically respond to estimates" may also be managed for each sales group for guide management. When restricting the automatic generation and output of quotation information, the travel agency may be notified of this automatically or manually (for example). In the "automatic" case, the server 1 simply sends information to the travel agency device 2 of the relevant travel agency, and in the "manual" case, an employee of the relevant bus operator simply notifies the travel agency of this via email, fax, or telephone.

[0129] As explained above, the chartered bus system of this embodiment, for chartered bus services, is equipped with a travel agency device managed by the ordering travel agency and a bus operator device managed by the receiving bus operator, and is equipped with a guide information storage means 121 that stores the total number of guides and the number of guide reservations, a remaining guide number calculation means 122 that calculates the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of guide reservations, a first display control means that causes the bus operator device 3 to display first information that is information regarding the remaining number of guides, and a second display control means that causes the travel agency device 2 to display second information that is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, wherein the first information is the remaining number of guides and the second information is information that suggests the remaining number of guides. This allows bus operators to accurately grasp the remaining number of guides that can be arranged, allowing them to properly manage guides. In response, travel agencies can grasp the availability of guides at an overview level, as well as allocate guides to specific travel agencies on a priority basis and use remaining guides as reserve guides. Therefore, according to the chartered bus system of this embodiment, guides can be appropriately managed, arranged, and information provided. In addition, the chartered bus system of this embodiment can provide the above-mentioned guide-related functions in addition to the basic function that is useful for both the travel agency (including the end user) and the bus operator, namely, the ability to automatically generate quotes that meet the conditions of both the travel agency and the bus operator.

[0130] In contrast, conventional charter bus reservation systems (for example, JP Patent Publication No. 2002-373280) take into consideration the desired conditions of users, but do not take into consideration the conditions of the bus operator. In addition, the management of remaining guide numbers and the provision of information to travel agencies (such as information on remaining numbers) are done manually, leaving room for improvement. According to the chartered bus system of this embodiment, the way the number of remaining guides is displayed is different between the travel agency and the bus operator, so that some or all of the conventional problems can be solved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1: Server, 101: Control unit, 102: Memory, 103: Storage unit, 104: Communication device, 111: Storage means, 112: Extraction means, 113: Calculation means, 114: Output means, 115: Display control means, 116: Loan car management means, 121: Guide information storage means, 122: Remaining guide number calculation means, 123: First display control means, 124: Second display control means, 125: Bus information storage means, 126: Remaining bus number calculation means, 127: Estimate limiting means, 150: Database (DB), 151: AGT master, 152: Bus company master, 153: Vehicle class detail master, 154: Sales office master, 155: AGT group group master, 156: AGT group fare master, 157: Guide fare master, 158: Hokkaido Transport Bureau master, 159: Outside business area master, 160: Fare and charge master, 161: AGT group fare calendar, 162: Vehicle usage status information, 163: OB setting information, 2: Travel agency device, 201: Control unit, 202: Memory, 203: Storage unit, 204: Operation device, 205: Display device, 206: Communication device, 3: Bus operator device, 301: Control unit, 302: Memory, 303: Storage unit, 304: Operation device, 305: Display device, 306: Communication device, 4: Map search site, 9: Internet

Claims

1. A chartered bus system for chartered bus services includes a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus company device managed by an order-receiving bus company, a guide information storage means for storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for said guides; a guide remaining number calculation means for calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; a first display control means for causing the bus operator device to display first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides; a second display control means for causing the travel agency device to display second information, which is information relating to the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information; The first information is The remaining number of the guides, The second information is This is information that indicates the remaining number of guides. A chartered bus system.

2. The second information is This is information corresponding to the remaining number of guides.

2. The chartered bus system according to claim 1.

3. The second information is A symbol corresponding to the remaining number of guides.

2. The chartered bus system according to claim 1.

4. The total number of guides is the sum of the number of guides belonging to the bus company and the number of guides belonging to a company other than the bus company.

2. The chartered bus system according to claim 1.

5. a bus information storage means for storing the total number of chartered buses and the number of reservations for the chartered buses; and a remaining bus number calculation means for calculating the remaining number of chartered buses based on the total number of chartered buses and the number of reservations for the chartered buses, The first display control means The bus company device displays the remaining number of guides and the remaining number of chartered buses as the first information, The second display control means As the second information, information indicating the remaining number of guides and information indicating the remaining number of chartered buses are both displayed on the travel agency device.

2. The chartered bus system according to claim 1.

6. A chartered bus processing method using a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus company device managed by an order-receiving bus company, for a service related to a chartered bus, storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for said guides; Calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; A step of displaying first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides, on the bus operator device; and a step of displaying second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information, on the travel agency device; The first information is The remaining number of the guides, The second information is This is information that indicates the remaining number of guides. A chartered bus processing method.

7. With regard to a service relating to chartered buses, an information processing device connected to a travel agency device managed by an ordering travel agency and a bus company device managed by an order-receiving bus company is provided. a guide information storage means for storing the total number of guides and the number of reservations for said guides; a guide remaining number calculation means for calculating the remaining number of guides based on the total number of guides and the number of reservations for the guides; a first display control means for causing the bus operator device to display first information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides; a second display control means for causing the travel agency device to display second information, which is information regarding the remaining number of guides and is different from the first information; The first information is The remaining number of the guides, The second information is This is information that indicates the remaining number of guides. A charter bus processing program.

Images