Japan Press Weekly

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2015 March 11 - 17 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Unstaffed train stations will not ensure passenger safety: JCP lawmaker

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Majima Shozo demanded that JR Kyushu suspend its plan to have 32 railway stations unstaffed, stating that the plan will run counter to ensuring the security of local communities along with the safety and convenience of passengers.

At a subcommittee meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on March 10, Majima took up the issue of the 23 stations scheduled to be without staff in four days.

Some stations whose workers will be removed are already dangerous. An Umi Station employee expressed concern about being unstaffed because there is no fence along the railway tracks near the station. At Soeda Station, passengers have to cross the tracks because the platform is located about 100 meters from the station building and the sharp ramp to the platform makes it difficult for persons in wheelchairs to go up on their own. Areas around some stations are empty at night, so it will be dangerous if no staff is there to take care of stations. The very presence of a station employee has deterred young people from hanging around at night at relatively isolated or deserted targeted stations.

Majima pointed out that the already dangerous conditions will be left as they are at these stations, and that passengers who need special assistance as well as persons with disabilities will not be able to use the station safely as before. Furthermore, passengers will no longer be able to buy train passes or express tickets at ticket windows at the station and the absence of station employees will lessen the security in local communities, he added.

The JCP representative also criticized JR Kyushu for failing to provide sufficient explanations to local residents and neighborhood community associations about the unstaffed station plan. The railway company announced the names of the 23 stations just one week before the implementation of the plan, giving only a 5-minute explanation to local residents.

Transport Minister Ota Akihiro said, “I will look into the local situations to sort out this issue so that passengers will have no trouble taking trains.” Regarding the inadequate explanation to local residents, the minister answered, “I will instruct JR Kyushu (to hold explanatory meetings).”

Majima replied, “It will be too late if something happens. I demand that the plan be suspended, and that you urge JR Kyushu to consult adequately with local municipalities and passengers.”