Heisei Chikuho Railway announced on March 25 that it will discontinue its railroad service and switch to bus routes as alternative transportation.
This policy was resolved at the “Heisei Chikuho Railway Regional Public Transportation Council,” which consists of nine municipalities along the line, including Fukuoka Prefecture, and no schedule has been set for the future. However, the company does not intend to discontinue railroad operations immediately in the next fiscal year (FY2026), but will continue to operate as before for the time being.
Past studies have found that “an annual deficit of 1 billion yen would be incurred if the railroad were to be maintained. “In July 2024, a council was established in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 6 of the Law on the Revitalization and Revitalization of Regional Public Transport.
The council considered buses as an alternative, as well as a proposal for a separate rail line and BRT. The council will continue discussions with the aim of formulating a regional public transportation plan as early as possible in FY2026.
© Source travel watch