JR Shikoku President Yohiro Nishimaki has indicated that he plans to start discussions with the national government and local governments by fiscal 2025, in response to the recommendations of a national study group that has been discussing how regional railways, which continue to be in the red, should be.
In July, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's study group set up a new council, including the national government, local governments along the railway line, and railway operators, to take measures within three years of the start of discussions. I summarized the proposal that should be decided.
JR Shikoku President Nishimaki said at a press conference on the 25th that he would like to start consultations with the national and local governments by fiscal 2025. He expressed his intention to start consultations by 2025.
As a section on which discussions should be advanced, the study group's recommendation is that the transport density, which indicates the average number of people transported per kilometer per day, should be "less than 1,000 people."
Sections with "less than 1,000 people" in 2019 are part of the Mugi Line in Tokushima Prefecture, part of the Yosan Line in Ehime Prefecture, and all sections of the Yodo Line connecting Ehime Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture. However, President Nishimaki indicated that he would consider specific sections in the future, taking into account the usage situation.
After that, he said, "I would like to disclose various information such as the management situation and trial calculations when switching to buses, and discuss concrete initiatives."