JAKARTA, Jun 5, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - In the fight against COVID-19, each part of society, including governments, private sectors, individual citizens and most notably healthcare workers, is playing its respective role. In this regard, enhancing testing capacity is an important effort to save lives and prevent the virus from spreading.

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), an independent not-for-profit foundation aimed at enabling mobility for all, announced today that they will provide four connected and sanitized shuttles for six medical institutions located in North Jakarta and Bekasi. The service will help the staff of these institutions carry test specimens to a COVID-19 test laboratory in a more efficient and, more importantly, safer manner.

With the "On-Demand" app with options of pre-booking in advance designed by Singapore-based SWAT Mobility, the healthcare workers are able to book a shuttle for them to carry specimens for COVID-19 testing, through effective and efficient routes generated by the app based on passengers' pick-up location and time. In addition, the shuttles will be equipped with products and services for sanitization, such as air purification devices, periodically replaced seat covers, and frequent cleaning services. The vehicles are properly operated to transport specimens safely.

TMF will be providing the service for three months, with operational support from PT. Toyota Astra Motor and Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Earlier, TMF launched similar services to support the efficient and safe commute of healthcare staff of certain hospitals located in Bangkok, Thailand, and Manila, Philippines.

Representing TMF, Mr. Pras Ganesh, Program Director for Asia Region, said, "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the healthcare workers for their tireless work to save lives. We hope the service will help the staff of these medical institutes fulfill their missions safely and efficiently, while providing them with some peace of mind during this challenging time."

About the Toyota Mobility Foundation

TMF was established in August 2014 as an independent foundation to support the development of a more mobile society. The Foundation aims to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. It utilizes Toyota's expertise in technology, safety, and the environment, working in partnership with universities, government, non-profit organizations, and other organizations to address mobility issues around the world. Programs include resolving urban transportation problems, like congestion and aims to find solutions that are greener, safer and more inclusive by working with local partners and residents to design, deliver, and scale solutions for communities across the globe.

Visit http://toyotamobilityfoundation.org/en/ for more information.

* The Kokoro Hakobu Project (with "Kokoro Hakobu" meaning "to carry or deliver one's heart" in Japanese) has been the collective name of nationwide initiatives by Toyota, Toyota sales outlets in Japan, and their employees to provide continuous and long-term support to disaster-affected areas in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The name has the connotation of "carrying you in our hearts." Based on Toyota's desire to contribute in some way to people who have contracted and are suffering from COVID-19, as well as to the medical professionals, Japan's central government, and local governments in Japan fighting the disease night and day, Toyota has decided to apply "The Kokoro Hakobu Project" as its overall moniker for related support activities conducted by Toyota Group companies working together.

About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today, Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in 29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170 countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.

Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com