On Dec. 15, JR Kyushu announced service reductions and changes to their timetables that will go into effect from Mar. 17 2018. The company will reduce the number of shinkansen trains running on its lines. There will also be less limited express, high speed, and local trains in operation on standard lines. In total, there will be 3,011 trains using the tracks, which is 117 less than this year. This equates to a 3.7% decrease. On weekdays, JR Kyushu trains will cover 172,000, which is 7% down on this year’s average of 185,000km. This is the biggest decrease that JR Kyushu has experienced since the company was formed following the division and privatization of Japanese National Railways in 1987. This is the second straight year that they have decided to reduce services. Local politicians have expressed concern about the changes, with officials from different parts of Kyushu noting that reduced services might have a negative impact on tourism and make life more inconvenient for elderly members of society that rely on public transportation. There have been calls for JR Kyushu to review their decision since the announcement was made. Source: Mainichi Shimbun, 12/16/2017
Photo: Hisagi
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