A draft proposal has been clarified in the near future by a national study group that discusses the ideal form of local railways that continue to be in the red.
For JR lines, the "transport density", which indicates the average number of people carried per day, is set at less than 1000, and the government will take the lead in discussions with local governments and businesses, including the conversion to buses. Should be.
The number of users of local railways nationwide has decreased due to the declining population and the spread of the new corona infection, and many operators continue to be in the red and some routes are in jeopardy of their survival.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism set up a study group of experts in February to continue discussions on the ideal form of local railways, but the proposals to be presented soon have been clarified.
Among these, for JR local routes, under certain conditions, the "transport density", which indicates the average number of people carried per day in the section called "line section", is less than 1000 people. The government should play a central role in establishing a new council in which local governments and railway operators along the railway line participate.
While the council does not assume that the line will continue or be abolished, it will be converted to a bus by discontinuing the line if it is expected to improve convenience and sustainability along with the utilization of the railway. We will discuss it including.
Within three years after the start of discussions at the council, the local government and the railway operator should agree and decide on measures.
The proposal will be presented at a study meeting to be held later this month, and is expected to be officially finalized after discussions by experts.