Regarding the JR Geibi Line, which connects Hiroshima Prefecture and Okayama Prefecture, which continues to be under difficult management conditions, the government has decided to hold a restructuring council meeting on the 26th of next month to discuss the continuation of the line and conversion to buses. This will be the first time in the country that a restructuring council will be held in accordance with the law.
Last October, a revised law was enacted that allows the national government to establish councils to discuss the restructuring of transportation means at the request of local governments and railway operators, with local railways continuing to be in the red across the country.
According to people involved, in response to a request from JR West, the government plans to hold a reconstruction council meeting on the 26th of next month for the entire JR Geibi Line between Hiroshima Station and Bitchu Jindai Station in Okayama Prefecture. I solidified it.
This will be the first time in the country that a restructuring council will be held in accordance with the law.
The council is scheduled to include the national government, Hiroshima Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture, four cities along the line, JR West Japan, bus associations, academic experts, and others. The future of public transportation will be discussed in a way that is in line with the actual circumstances of the region, such as carrying out demonstration experiments to switch to buses.
The government hopes to reach a conclusion within three years based on the discussions at the council.