JR companies revised the spring schedule on the 12th.
While the number of railway passengers is decreasing due to the influence of the new coronavirus, JR East and West Japan have the largest reduction in flights ever.
On the 12th, JR companies revised the schedule to reflect the decrease in passengers due to the impact of the new Corona.
JR East is reducing the number of trains on weekdays and holidays, and on weekdays, 25 trains on the Shinkansen, 15 trains on the limited express trains, and 199 trains on the rapid and ordinary trains in the entire area such as the Tokyo metropolitan area and Tohoku. The number of flights was reduced by 239.
Of these, during the morning commuting hours, 16 lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area, such as the Yamanote Line, are reduced from 1 to 4 lines per hour.
In addition, on weekdays, JR West also reduced the number of flights by 213, including 5 on the Shinkansen, 2 on the limited express, and 206 on the rapid and regular trains.
JR East and West Japan are said to have the largest reduction in flights since the company was established in 1987, 35 years ago.
Yuji Fukasawa, President of JR East, said, "The behavior of our customers has changed significantly under the influence of the new Corona, and we have set an efficient and flexible timetable. We would like to respond more flexibly to changes in the situation." I am.
The background of the large-scale flight reduction
Behind the large-scale reduction of flights by JR East and West Japan is the "change in working style" such as the spread of telework due to the corona disaster.
One of the proofs is the decrease in sales revenue of commuter passes.
In JR East, sales revenue of commuter passes for conventional lines from April to December last year was 269.6 billion yen, 97.2 billion yen, or 26, compared to the same period three years before the spread of the new corona infection. % Has decreased.
As the corona sickness continues for a long time, working from home is becoming established mainly in urban areas, and JR thinks that this trend will not change even if the new corona converges in the future, and it will improve profitability as much as possible. It is said that it has decided to significantly reduce the number of flights in order to connect.
There is also a movement to improve management efficiency
With the impact of the new Corona, railroad passengers have fallen and severe management continues, and with this timetable revision, there are moves to improve management efficiency.
JR East has newly started "one-man operation" on the Hachiko Line and Kawagoe Line, where one driver does not get on the train conductor.
In addition, JR Kyushu has become an "unmanned station" with no station staff at 22 stations including the Nagasaki Main Line, Nippou Main Line, and Kagoshima Main Line from the 12th, and tickets are available at 48 stations in the jurisdiction. The sales window has been abolished.