On September 20, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) began soliciting public comments on JR East’s application for approval of fare ceiling changes. The period is until October 3.
As of September 16, JR East applied for a new off-peak commuter pass, which is less expensive than the current commuter pass, and an increase in the price of the existing commuter pass. The off-peak commuter pass will be reduced by approximately 10% from the current price, while the regular commuter pass will be increased by approximately 1.4%.
JR East has announced that, in response to the changing lifestyles of the Corona disaster, it will promote use of its trains by avoiding the morning peak period and will establish a new, less expensive off-peak commuter pass from March 2023, aiming to ease congestion and equalize use on the assumption that overall revenue will not increase by slightly raising the price of the regular commuter pass. The company aims to alleviate congestion and equalize usage by slightly raising the price of regular commuter passes.
© Source travel watch