Local trains on the Soya Main Line at Nagayama Station
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Higashi Rokusen, four stops further down the line. Some really stunning rural stops on this route, but almost no riders...pic.twitter.com/OekQRZFj6W
Three more tiny stops, then we reach Shibetsu, the first one since Nagayama with a reported daily ridership (370 people per day)pic.twitter.com/IwoDuXM1CD
Next is Shimo Shibetsu, then Tayoro, then Mizuho, then Furen...none have any ridership data...pic.twitter.com/cbakqOilAI
...same for the next stop, Higashi Furen. Now, "no data" isn't the same as "no riders," but you can assume it's pretty low...pic.twitter.com/ftIIdUEcBv
The next stop, Nayoro, gets 441 riders per day. The remainder of the Soya Main Line, from here to Wakkanai, is facing closure.pic.twitter.com/fjiFAmiqnj
The part we've looked at so far, despite low ridership, is at least viable as a commuter line to the city of Asahikawa.
But for the 32 remaining stops...unless local governments along the route are willing to pay for it, they will be closed in a few years.
This is the northernmost rail line in Japan, terminating at Wakkanai Station (95/day) at the tip of Hokkaido. It's emptying every day.pic.twitter.com/WqHkptPwPK
Due to depopulation, it is unlikely that local governments can afford to maintain the line...and even if they did, who would ride it?
The fastest express train on the line, the Super Soya, takes about 5 hours to get between Wakkanai and Sapporo--the same as driving a car...pic.twitter.com/xDUynqohif
...which is pretty good, a 5 hour drive is miserable. But it's no match for air travel on the same route. So, what would justify keeping it?
The only justification is "someone is able and willing to pay for its upkeep." But locals can't...the Hokkaido government can't...
Who does that leave? Well, former prime minister Aso Taro recently suggested merging JR Hokkaido with JR East, which is based in Tokyo.
JR East is very successful and highly profitable--and Hokkaido is a popular vacation destination for Tokyo residents.
They could ostensibly do the job--and at this point, it's the only realistic option besides closure. Let's hope for the best!
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