JR Kyushu, under President Youji Furumiya, announced its intention to discuss the future of public transportation with Kagoshima Prefecture and local municipalities along the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line. This initiative aims to explore future possibilities without assuming the line’s maintenance or abolition. The Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, particularly between Ibusuki and Makurazaki stations, has seen a significant decline in usage, with a 77% drop in transport density over the past 30 years due to population decrease.
This move follows a law enacted last October allowing councils to review regional railways. JR Kyushu’s approach, although not directly under this law, aligns with its spirit, marking the first such initiative since the law’s implementation. President Furumiya emphasized the need for forward-looking discussions beyond traditional methods, especially for railway sections not fully serving as mass transportation. He advocated for swift yet thoughtful discussions, avoiding unnecessary delays. Source: NHK
Photo from MaedaAkihiko
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