Local News

JR Kyushu released figures for the first three months of Kyushu Shinkansen operation showing large increases in the number of rail passengers compared to the totals when only special express trains were available. The figures were compiled from the opening of full service on March 12 to mid-June. Ridership from Hakata to Kumamoto rose by 35%, while that from Kumamoto to Kagoshima rose 62%. JR Kyushu’s target in both cases was a 40% increase. They think the reason the rise in traffic to Kagoshima was higher than expected, and that to Kumamoto was lower than expected, is the much greater time savings for the trip to Kagoshima on the Shinkansen.