People who work late at night will have to be more careful not to miss the last train. Railway companies should make every effort to minimize users' inconvenience.
East Japan Railway Co. has announced it will move up the final train schedules in its timetable review next spring. Of the 17 lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the final departure time for trains will be up to 37 minutes earlier than now. West Japan Railway Co. also plans to move up the timetables mainly for trains departing after midnight by up to 30 minutes.
It is the first time since 1987, when Japan Railway companies were established, that the times for final trains are being reviewed on a large scale. Private companies that operate railway lines connected with JR lines are considering following suit.
The move is chiefly due to the sharp drop in passenger demand for late-night trains in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The number of passengers on Tokyo's Yamanote Line trains departing after midnight fell by 40% in the first half of October compared to the same period last year.
Even before the virus outbreak, overtime work had been reduced due to work style reforms, leaving fewer opportunities for people to eat and drink outside the home until late at night. As new lifestyles adopted to combat virus infections, such as teleworking, gradually become normal, revising the timetables to a certain degree is unavoidable.
Another reason for moving up the times is to secure more time for the maintenance and inspection work conducted after the day's last trains.
While the amount of work is increasing due to the installment of platform barriers and aging equipment, the number of workers has decreased by 20% in the past decade as a result of labor shortages. Many people also are said to be avoiding working late at night.
If departure times for the last train are brought forward, the additional time between services will make it easier to bring in large machines and save labor. With increased efficiency, it will also become easier to secure days off for workers.
It is understandable why railway companies are trying to improve the workplace environment.
However, it should not be forgotten that railways are an important part of the infrastructure that supports people's lives.
If last trains depart early, some people may have trouble with their work. This is especially true for people who commute from far away. It is necessary for companies and employers to cooperate in implementing measures such as changing work shifts.
Under the envisaged timetable revisions, there will be some sections that cannot be reached by conventional JR lines, after getting off the last Shinkansen trains at Tokyo Station or Shin-Osaka Station.
The convenience of passengers who transfer to private railways and subways may also be impaired. It is essential for railway operators to coordinate with one another, while also examining the impact on restaurants, retail stores and other businesses that operate late into the night.
It will be a problem if trains running late at night become crowded because departure times for final trains were moved up. JR East has said it will take measures such as operating extra trains mainly on Friday nights.
It is hoped JR companies will deal flexibly with the situation, while also examining the impact on restaurants, retail stores and other businesses that operate late into the night. Cooperation with companies operating late-night buses and taxi services will also be discussed.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Oct. 26, 2020.
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