Chapter　4　 Development and Improvement of Passenger Transport Systems

4. 1　Development of Traffic Arteries

　 　The development of high-speed traffic networks is steadily under way, including the development of Shinkansen lines, the promotion of trunk railway lines activation projects, the development of airports, the extension of high-speed motorways and the resultant extension of high-speed bus routes.
　 　Our long-term goal is that, from the standpoint of expanding a one-day travel range as far as possible throughout the country by eliminating regional gaps in high-speed services, it is necessary to ensure access to more than one high-speed traffic system within one hour or so from any local city. In view of increased regional interdependency, it is also necessary to develop and improve traffic arteries so that their stability and availability can be enhanced.
　 　As for the construction of new Shinkansen lines, the sequence of starting construction work was decided through agreement between the government and the ruling party at the end of August, 1988: construction work on the Hokuriku Shinkansen will be started on a full scale during fiscal 1989, and a conclusion about specific work procedures will be reached by the end of December, 1988.
　 　In the process of compiling the national budget for fiscal 1989, the government and the ruling party in January 1988 decided on such matters as 1 full-scale construction work on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Takasaki-Karuizawa) starting from fiscal 1989; 2 construction costs to be shared by JR, the nation and the region concerned; and 3 the rate of burdens to be borne by JR and financial resources.

　

4. 2　Development of Local Transport Systems


(1)　Development of Urban Traffic Systems
　 　In large-cities spheres, we have endeavored to develop such urban traffic systems as JR lines, subways, new-town railways, and major private railways. We have also begun to develop a linear-motor-car subway as a new traffic system, while trying to improve railway transport services, such as raising the rate of air conditioned cars and introducing prepaid cards. (Fig. 11) We have also activated urban bus sevices by introducing a new city bus system; taxi services have also been improved through the introduction of wireless communications. Late-night traffic services have also been improved by the operation of late-night buses. To improve the urban functions of local nucleus-cities and make them attractive, we have endeavored to enhance the convenience of public transportation by the development of traffic facilities and the improvement of public transport.
(2)　Maintenance and Development of Local Traffic Facilities
　 　In local areas, business conditions for public transportation are deteriorating with the decrease in the number of users. In these circumstances, the maintenance of public transportation has become a major concern for those who have to depend on it. The Ministry of Transport has endeavored to help medium and small railway, and remote-island ferry operators continue their operations and improve their business conditions.


4. 3　Private Cars, Now and in the Future


　 　As motorization is entering the stage of maturity and as lifestyles are changing with increased income and a stronger desire to enjoy free time, holding private cars is undergoing a change, as shown by the recent increase in the number of households holding more than one car. At the same time, users' needs for private cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated, diversified and individualized with the affluence of life. (Fig. 12)
　 　When the trend of new needs for private cars is taken into consideration, it is clear that public needs cannot be satisfied by the development and improvement of public transportation alone as in the past. We need to re-examine the role originally required of public transportation and try to realize it. We believe that time has come to study, on the basis of such efforts, a new role of private cars and public transportation in future society, so that they can complement each other.

　

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