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Projects for improving high-speed traffic networks have been steadily moved
ahead on. The facilities for Shinkansen have been bettered, and jet planes introduced
to local airports. The length of expressways has been extended, and so has been
express bus service. The areas that are not served by these high-speed traffic
means are thus being reduced. In addition, as evident from extending scope of
people's activities (Fig. 16),
demand for traffic is likely to increase in the years to come.
A long-term target for us should thus be considered from the viewpoint of
eliminating regional gaps in high-speed traffic service and expanding one-day
traffic ranges throughout the country as much as possible. We need to reinforce
trunk networks of traffic so that residents in local cities may have access
to more than one high-speed traffic means within one hour in general and the
stability and convenience of traffic networks may be guaranteed to meet increase
in interdependence among different districts.
The construction of five new Shinkansen lines is considered to be desirable
as it will contribute to balanced development of the nation and correction of
regional gaps. This subject is now being discussed by the Study Committee for
Financial Matters on Shinkansen Construction, which was created in August 1985
according to an agreement between the government and the ruling party. The Committee
is studying the prerequisites for the construction of these lines, especially
the problem of funds. Proper actions will be taken in accordance with the conclusion
to be reached at the Committee (See Note).
Note: In the agreement between the government and the ruling party reached
in December 1987 when the budget for fiscal 1988 was prepared, it was determined
that the problem of the new Shinkansen lines would be examined by the Study
Committee for Promotion of Shinkansen Construction, etc. on the basis of the
outcome of discussions by the Study Committee for Financial Matters on Shinkansen
Construction.
In urban districts, endeavors have been made to increase the reliability, convenience and efficiency of public traffic networks in accordance with the reports of the Council for Transport Policy and the Council for Regional Traffic. The reinforcement of the passenger railway companies (JR), subways, new town railways, main private railways and other urban railways is steadily being promoted, while measures to better railway transport service, including increase of air-conditioned cars and extension of routes of a railway into those of another, are taken. The revitalization of city bus service is also encouraged through, above all, introduction of a new city bus system, while steps are taken to secure night transport by, for instance, running of late night bus service. Efforts for better service are also continued for taxis; encouragement of radio devices for taxicabs is among these efforts. (Fig. 17)
In local districts, public traffic means are suffering decreasing passengers (Fig. 18) and deterioration in management. An important problem is, therefore, how to secure these means for those who have no alternative way of transport. The Ministry of Transport is working hard to help small private railways, local bus companies and routes to solitary islands maintain and improve their service and management. Many of the bus and railway service converted from former JNR local lines are still unable to get rid of red figures. To solve this problem, the operators of these bus and railway lines should increase their management effort and those concerned in each district should give positive support to these operators.
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