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While the growth in the volume of passenger transport has slowed down, users
these days attach increasing importance to the quality of transport, such as
high-speed and comfortableness.
As for the long-term target for developing the nation's arteries, it is necessary
to develop them with a view to ensuring access to high-speed transit facilities
within one or two hours from any of the main local cities, so that one-day trip
zones can be expanded as far as possible throughout the country.
(1) Development of Urban Traffic Systems
As for the development of urban railway systems, efforts have been made to
alleviate congestion and improve services through such measures as the construction
of new lines and the introduction of triple tracking systems. In major urban
areas, in particular, it is urgently necessary to construct triple tracking
systems or carry out large-scale improvement projects in response to growing
demand for transport. To give an investment incentive to these projects, a special
law for promoting the development of railway systems in designated cities was
instituted in April 1986. This law provides for the creation of a reserve system,
under which future construction costs are included in fares, and funds thus
obtained are deposited as tax-free reserves.
Since fiscal 1983, a new urban bus system has been introduced into six major
cities, including Tokyo and Osaka. This system features the establishment of
exclusive bus lanes and the introduction of overall bus route control systems.
Since its inception, this system has steadily achieved intended results in all
cities, including the increase in the number of users. This system needs to
be introduced also into other cities.
(2) Maintenance and Development of Local Transport Systems
In local areas, the number of users of public transportation has decreased,
and its management has been placed in an extremely difficult position. This
trend has given rise to the problem of how to secure public transportation for
those who have to depend on it.
In these circumstances, the Ministry of Transport has since 1981 formulated
local transport plans on a prefectural basis, in principle, from a long-term
viewpoint. Thus, efforts have been made to maintain and develop local transport
systems, taking local interests fully into consideration.
Meanwhile, 25 designated local JNR lines have already been concerted into
bus systems, and 16 into private or third-sector lines.
Compared with their predecessors, these bus systems now provide greater convenience
to users. However, the number of passengers is decreasing in many of these bus
systems, due to the diffusion of mobilette, and their management is generally
placed in a difficult position. Although the private or third-sector railway
lines converted from local JNR lines are improving their financial position,
their management prospects do not warrant optimism.
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