This is a new initiative aimed at "decarbonization" to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the railway industry.
Seibu Railway, a major private railway company, will operate some lines from April 1 using only electricity generated by solar power generation.
From April 1st, Seibu Railway will operate on the Yamaguchi Line, which connects "Seibukyujo-mae Station" in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, and "Tamako Station" in Higashimurayama City, Tokyo.
The total length of this line is about 2.8 km, and it is used by about 1 million people a year, mainly those who visit baseball stadiums and amusement parks.
The necessary electricity is secured through its own solar power generation facilities and electric power companies, and this initiative will reduce the annual carbon dioxide emissions from this line to approximately 300 tons to virtually zero.
Mr. Naoshi Honda, General Manager of Electricity Department of Seibu Railway, said, "Since railways use a lot of electricity, it is important to reduce carbon dioxide. I hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the environment while using routes rich in nature."
At private railways in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Tokyu Corporation has switched all the electricity used to operate the Setagaya Line to renewable energy, and the railway industry is likely to accelerate its efforts toward a carbon-free society in the future.