Since November 2021, JR East has been removing the clocks at their stations.
According to JR East, 22 stations (20 stations in Yamanishi prefecture and 2 stations in Kanagawa prefecture) were removed as of January 26, 2022.
Clock removals at about 500 stations (30% total) will happen within the next ten years.
The reason for the removal is that maintenance is high. According to the company, they consider the aging of the clock, station usage and reduction of maintenance as a factor.
In an FNN interview, when asked about the clock removal, a representative said, “To make railways sustainable (= sustainable), control maintenance and renewal investment (= costs for equipment maintenance and replacement of deteriorated equipment) and running costs (= to maintain and manage railways) It is necessary to further reduce fixed costs such as (cost). In addition, as the working-age population is declining, we recognize that securing human resources for maintenance is also an issue. Therefore, on the premise of ensuring safety, downsizing of equipment (= simplifying and improving efficiency of equipment) and low-operation equipment (= mainly used for business purposes) while taking into account the usage situation We are actively reviewing items that are rarely used)”.
Also, “With the spread of mobile phones, smartphones, etc., many customers themselves have a means to check the time”.
It is expected that with the clock removals, JR East will save 300 million yen ($2.4 million US) per year.
