ＤＭＶ、世界初の運行開始　道路と線路、同じ車両で―徳島

　徳島、高知両県を結ぶ第三セクターの阿佐海岸鉄道は２５日、道路と線路を同じ車両で走行する「デュアル・モード・ビークル（ＤＭＶ）」営業運行を世界で初めて開始した。地元関係者は、観光地へのアクセス向上や鉄道ファンの集客などを期待している。
　徳島県海陽町で記念式典が行われ、飯泉嘉門知事は「世界に向け、四国の右下から『右上がり』に夢と希望を伝えられたら」とあいさつ。同社の三浦茂貴社長（海陽町長）は「約１０年かけてやっとこぎ着けた。感無量だ」と述べた。
　ＤＭＶはマイクロバスを改造した乗り物で、ゴムタイヤに加え、レール上を走るための鉄の車輪を装備。鉄道とバスのモードを１５秒ほどで切り替えることができ、その際には沿線にある徳島県立海部高校郷土芸能部による「海南太鼓」の演奏が車内に流れる。
　第１号のＤＭＶに乗った兵庫県西宮市の水野秀明さん（５９）は「ガクンと揺れる独特の乗り心地を楽しめた」と話した。（2021/12/25-15:33）

A public-private, or third-sector, railway company in western Japan started on Saturday the world's first commercial operation of a dual mode vehicle capable of running on both roads and railway tracks.
   Local residents expect that the new service by Asa Coast Railway Co., which enhances the accessibility to tourist spots, will attract more railway fans and others.
   At a ceremony in the town of Kaiyo, Tokushima Prefecture, to mark the launch of the service, Tokushima Governor Kamon Iizumi said he wants to "send dreams and hopes to the world" from the prefecture through the DMV.
   "It took as long as about 10 years to launch (the DMV service). I'm full of emotion," said Kaiyo Mayor Shigeki Miura, who doubles as president of Asa Coast Railway. The company's railway service links Tokushima and neighboring Kochi Prefecture.
   Asa Coast Railway's DMV is based on a minibus and equipped with rubber tires used for travel on roads and steel wheels for railway tracks. Its road and railway modes can be switched in only about 15 seconds. During the time the switch takes place, sounds from a traditional local drum performance by students belonging to the local performing art club of Kaifu High School in Kaiyo are played inside the vehicle.