JR Kyushu will implement its first fare increase since 1996, effective April 2025. The base fare will rise from ¥170 to ¥200, with specific routes seeing significant increases. For instance, the fare from Hakata to Kurume will increase to ¥870, up 14.5%. The Kokura to Mojiko route will see a rise to ¥340, up 21.4%, and the Saga to Shin-Tosu fare will climb to ¥560, up 16.7%. Shinkansen fares will also rise, with the Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo route increasing to ¥11,950, up 12.3%, and Hakata to Kumamoto to ¥5,840, up 11.7%.
This decision is driven by a ¥29.1 billion deficit in FY2023 and ongoing economic challenges, including rising maintenance costs and a decrease in passenger revenue. Factors contributing to the financial strain include the persistence of telework reducing commuting, increased operational costs, and frequent natural disasters impacting rail infrastructure. The fare hike aligns with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s revised policy on fare calculations, which now better accounts for depreciation and wage improvements. Source: JR Kyushu
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