The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen, which suffered damage such as broken utility poles due to the earthquake that originated off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture on the 13th of this month, resumed operation on the 24th, the first time in 11 days.
The earthquake on the 13th of this month, when seismic intensity 6 upper was observed in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, caused damage to the utility poles supporting the overhead lines and damage to the viaduct pillars, leading to Tochigi and Iwate prefectures. I can no longer drive in some sections.
Following the resumption of operation between Sendai Station and Morioka Station, the operation between Sendai Station and Nasushiobara Station in Tochigi Prefecture began from the first train on the morning of the 24th, and operation resumed on all lines for the first time in 11 days. Did.
Many people were waiting for the train with large luggage on the Shinkansen platform at Sendai Station, and when the Shinkansen heading for Tokyo arrived, they boarded one after another.
A man in his 40s heading to Tokyo for work said, "I was saved because I shifted the time of my business trip to coincide with the resumption of operation."
A high school student heading to Niigata via Omiya for the university entrance exam said, "I thought about going by bus, but if I could travel by Shinkansen, I would have more time, so I could take the exam with confidence."
According to JR East, for the time being to ensure safety, the number of trains will be reduced to about 80% of the normal number, and the speed will be reduced, so the time required between Tokyo Station and Sendai Station, Morioka Station, etc. will be about 1 hour. It means that it will be longer.
Also, the last train is about an hour ahead of normal, and it will take about a month to return to the normal timetable.
Ekiben shop also resumes business
At Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture, the ekiben shop on the Shinkansen platform, which had been closed, has reopened.
On the morning of the 24th, a freshly made lunch box arrived at the shop on the platform of Koriyama Station, and employees lined it up carefully.
At the food company in Koriyama City, which makes and operates ekiben, ekiben accounts for 60% of the total sales, and even though the new coronavirus has called for refraining from going out, there is a need from business customers, so sales are increasing. It means that it was supporting.
Fumiki Kobayashi, managing director of Fukuzuya, which manufactures and sells bento boxes, said, "Sales were declining due to the earthquake that was weakening with the new corona. I hope it will pick up again. "