Local trains on the Soya Main Line at Nagayama Station
#TrainTwitterpic.twitter.com/XCjsHs9GnZ
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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!
would help if they could get a good tourist game going — nicely COOL in summer, might help?
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