Japan's Regional Train Line Becomes Reservation-Only Tourist Train Service

SHIZUOKA (Japan), Aug 18 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- A local commuter train line in central Japan is thought to have become the country's first to be converted into a reservation-only tourist train along its entire route, Kyodo News reported. 

Despite backlash from the local community after prices were hiked significantly from a distance-based fare to a flat rate of 3,500 yen ($22), Oigawa Railway Co. managed to change its Ikawa Line in Shizuoka Prefecture to a reservation-only system in July.

The 25.5-kilometre line, also known as the Minami-Alps Abt Line, runs through a mountainous area known for its scenery and uses Japan's only Abt rack-and-pinion locomotives designed to handle steep gradients.

With declining ridership in many areas struggling with depopulation, the initiative is drawing attention from railway companies nationwide.

Along with the Ikawa Line, the firm also owns the Oigawa Main Line, a popular route featuring a Thomas the Tank Engine train. The two lines were previously connected, but were separated due to damage caused by a typhoon in 2022, leaving the Ikawa Line isolated.

Restoration has proved costly, while ridership on both lines has not recovered to the levels observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With depopulation advancing along the line, there have been no commuter pass users in the past 15 years for which records are available.

While there are sightseeing lines in different parts of the country that have operated on a flat-rate fare system since their inception, the Ikawa Line is believed to be the first in Japan that was previously a local commuter line before switching to a reservation-only system.

Since July, ridership on the Ikawa Line has fallen by about 10 per cent compared to the previous year, but revenue has increased, with reservations reportedly strong ahead of the fall high season.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO