Challenges Arising from High Standards and High Density: The Compelling Reason for Delayed Recovery While a swift restoration of rail service is expected, even a cursory inspection reveals severe damage to platforms and stations, and elevators are currently out of service at every station. According to JR Kyushu’s data, there are “approximately 100 instances of track deformation, 29 instances of bridge deformation, 12 instances of platform deformation, 27 damaged utility poles, and 300 instances of damage to overhead wire fittings,” and the damage to surrounding roads is clearly severe as well. Although the situation would improve if the section between Uto and Ogawa were restored, the damage to the stations at both locations is quite severe… Because both the station buildings and the tracks are built to high standards across the board, restoration work is taking longer than expected. For now, the forecast that “service between Uto and Yatsushiro will resume in October” seems unavoidable.
© Source travel watch