Panel Proposes Review Of Japan's Loss - Making Railway Lines
A government panel of experts has called for a wholesale review of Japan's loss-making railway lines.
The shrinking population and a drop in train usage amid the pandemic mean that some regional services are no longer viable.
The transport ministry panel proposed on Monday the formation of consultative bodies made up of the authorities, railway operators and other stakeholders. They would discuss new options for unprofitable lines, including replacing them with bus services.
The experts suggest that consultations on lines in the Japan Railway group should start if the daily average of passengers per kilometer falls below 1,000. They also defined some exemptions to the threshold.
Potential alternatives to introducing bus services include local governments taking over ownership of stations and rail tracks to enable operators to focus on daily services.