JR West announced for the first time that it will clarify the status of income and expenditure for each line section, which has not been announced so far, for regional routes where the number of users is particularly low due to population decline and corona damage.
By concretely showing the status of income and expenditure, we would like to accelerate discussions on the future of local routes, including conversion to bus routes, together with local governments along the railway lines.
JR West is expected to reach a maximum deficit of 116.5 billion yen this year and 2021 following the final deficit of 233.2 billion yen last year due to the decline in railway passengers due to the impact of the new coronavirus.
There is an urgent need to rebuild management, and on the 16th, the company clarified for the first time the status of income and expenditure for each line section, which has not been announced so far, regarding the line section of the local line where the number of users is particularly small due to population decline and corona damage. I announced that it will be.
The announcement is scheduled for April, targeting a total of 30 lines in Kinki, China, and the Hokuriku region, where the "transport density", which indicates how many people were carried in a day, is less than 2000. It means that it will be.
At the meeting, President Kazuaki Hasegawa said, "It is necessary to share specific business conditions with the local community and discuss what is the best means of transportation for the region." I was struck by the idea of accelerating discussions on the future of local routes, including such things.
Decreasing the number of users on local routes is a national issue, and the national government has set up a study group this month and has indicated that it will proceed with discussions with a view to a drastic review.