How to keep passengers safe at unmanned stations? Issues faced by about half of stations nationwide

The number of "unmanned stations" without station staff is increasing on railways all over the country.

The number is 4564 stations (as of the end of March).

It has increased by more than 400 in about 20 years, accounting for 48% of all stations nationwide.

How can passengers use the station safely?

In some prefectures, more than 90% are "unmanned stations" ...

An "unmanned station" where station staff are absent all day.

The number of stations was 4120 in 2001, but it increased to 4564 in 2019, an increase of more than 400 in about 20 years.

It increased to 48.2% of all stations, accounting for almost half (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism summary).

In addition to the declining population due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the number of railway passengers is decreasing due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

There is concern that the unmanned station will be further accelerated due to the fact that railway companies are being forced to improve their management efficiency.

Voices of anxiety ... Due to the effects of unmanned operation

"I'm worried about what to do if I fall off my platform. If possible, I don't want more unmanned stations."

This is Mr. Yoshiki Tomioka (48 years old), who is blind and lives in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.

I commute to work three days a week on the JR Ryomo Line for about 45 minutes one way, but the nearest Yamamae station was unmanned three years ago, and there are no station staff to handle the counter.

Mr. Tomioka usually walks alone while checking the Braille block with his sticks and soles, but when he got on the train from the platform before, he mistakenly mistaken for the train door and went to the connecting part and started to fall. I am worried that there will be no station staff in the event of an unmanned station.

What is required to formulate guidelines?

Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism proceeded with the formulation of guidelines that included issues that railway companies should tackle, and compiled the final draft at the study meeting held on the 3rd.

When a wheelchair user or a person with a disability gets on and off the train, the driver or conductor will assist the station staff, voice guidance will be given to the visually impaired, and a bulletin board will be used for the hearing impaired. It shows the direction that it is effective to enhance information dissemination through guidance.

Regarding support for persons with disabilities at unmanned stations, outsourcing to the outside such as local governments and local tourism associations will also lead to the safety of users, and it is said that examples of local sites that have already been introduced will be shown.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will formulate guidelines as early as this month based on the opinions expressed at the study group.

Measures are taken even at railway companies

Some railway companies have begun to take measures.

Mizuma Railway that runs in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Eight of the ten stations are unmanned stations.

Because it is a one-man railway, when a wheelchair user gets on the train, the station staff who was contacted in advance carried the slopes at the two manned stations to handle it.

However, since some people said, "Because you may have to wait at home for a long time, it will be a heavy burden on hot days," we decided to equip all train driver's seats with "simple slopes" from four years ago. ..

As a result, after the driver installed the simple slope and had the wheelchair user get on and off, the series of time to clean up was shortened to only about 1 minute, and there was almost no delay in the timetable. about it.

Makoto Adachi of Kaizuka City, who uses an electric wheelchair every day (36)

"I was once told that using a wheelchair was an obstacle, but now I can use public transportation freely. I am grateful for the comfort and comfort of the train. ”

Yasuhiko Nishida, General Manager of the Railway Department, Mizuma Railway “

I used to have a hard time responding, but the introduction of a simple slope has made it easier for drivers to get on and off. I want to