Fukuoka City has unveiled a plan to introduce new trains to the Nanakuma Line subway, aiming to increase the number of services per hour by four by the fiscal year 2027. This move comes in response to the growing congestion during rush hours, particularly in the mornings and evenings, exacerbated by the extension of the line to Hakata Station from Tenjin-Minami Station last March and the surge in foreign tourists. The daily passenger count this fiscal year is expected to hit a record high of 123,000. With the introduction of 16 new cars between fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the city plans to raise the current service from 17 to 21 trains per hour, which is anticipated to reduce the congestion rate at 8 a.m. rush hour from 130% to 115%. In addition to the Nanakuma Line, improvements are also planned for the Airport Line and the Hakozaki Line, where the frequency will increase to 21 services per hour by March 2025, aiming for a 5% reduction in peak congestion rates. To support these measures, Fukuoka City has allocated 6.274 billion yen in the next fiscal year’s budget. Source: NHK
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