It has been revealed that JR Hokkaido has proposed a “separation of infrastructure and operation” system to some municipalities along the lines of eight sections of its railway network that continue to operate at a loss.
Furthermore, objections have been raised by members of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly regarding the separation of infrastructure and operation system.
(Liberal Democratic Party Hokkaido Citizens’ Conference, Prefectural Assembly Member Masashi Miyoshi) “I wonder what the intention behind JR Hokkaido’s proposal has led to this situation. I feel that there must be some mistake.” At a special committee meeting of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly held on April 8, the assembly member pointed out the “separation of infrastructure and operation” system that JR Hokkaido is considering. The eight sections of the railway network that JR Hokkaido considers difficult to maintain on its own are the yellow lines.
According to some municipalities along the lines, on the 8th, JR Hokkaido proposed a “separation of infrastructure and operation” system as one option, in which the municipalities would be responsible for the maintenance and management of the tracks and other facilities, while JR would concentrate on operations.
This would reduce the financial burden on JR Hokkaido, while increasing the burden on the municipalities. (Liberal Democratic Party Hokkaido Citizens’ Conference, Prefectural Assembly Member Masashi Miyoshi) “I would like to ask how the prefecture views the separation of infrastructure and operation at this point.” (
Prefectural official) “In Hokkaido, which has long railway lines and aging railway facilities, we believe there are many challenges in the prefecture and municipalities, which are in a difficult financial situation, owning railway facilities and continuing to operate the railway business.” The prefecture stated that no proposal from JR has been made public, and that it will participate in local discussions more than ever before.
(Hokkaido Yushikai, Prefectural Assembly Member Hiroyuki Akane) “It is thanks to the support of the local communities that JR’s management is steadily improving. In this context, I am truly baffled as to why they are deliberately asking the communities to bear the burden, and this feeling wells up inside me along with anger.” (
Democratic Hokkaido Citizens’ Alliance, Prefectural Assembly Member Kazuma Suzuki) “Not all of the yellow lines are in a railway environment that is suitable for a separation of infrastructure and operation system, and separation of infrastructure and operation without national government assistance would be an extremely heavy burden on the communities along the lines.” JR Hokkaido has been asked by the national government to compile improvement measures for eight sections by the end of this fiscal year, and is expected to announce its proposals soon.
