On the 1st, the JR Rumoi Line, which connected Numata Town and Fukagawa City in Hokkaido, was discontinued. With this, all five unprofitable sections, the so-called “red lines,” that JR Hokkaido had indicated to the municipalities along the line 10 years ago were scheduled for closure have now been abolished. However, challenges surrounding the railway still remain.
■The future of the 8 unprofitable “yellow lines” These are “yellow lines” where JR Hokkaido alone cannot maintain the railway, and the goal is to keep the railway running on the premise of “local burden.” According to local sources, JR Hokkaido is considering proposing a “separation of infrastructure and operation” system as one way to keep the railway running, in which the municipalities would maintain the tracks and facilities, and JR would be responsible for operating the trains.
■Survival or closure? The fate of the railway as the time limit approaches
