The “Railway Business Reconstruction Implementation Plan” submitted by Noto Railway, JR West, Ishikawa Prefecture, and other related municipalities has been approved by the national government, and a framework has been established for municipalities to support the costs of construction and maintenance of Noto Railway.
Further population decline due to Noto Peninsula earthquake
Noto’s regional transportation has been forced into a difficult situation due to the accelerated population outflow and large recovery costs brought about by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024, but in order to achieve full-scale recovery, the prefecture has indicated its intention to reconstruct a sustainable transportation network. The Noto Railway Nanao Line resumed operation on all sections in April of the same year, but in order to stabilize management in the future, Nanao City, Wajima City, Suzu City, Anamizu Town, and Noto Town have also joined in formulating a reconstruction plan for the next 10 years.
The plan will maintain the current structure of JR West as a third-class railway operator that owns railway facilities, and Noto Railway as a second-class railway operator that rents and operates the facilities for a fee. Under the new agreement, the prefecture and the towns of Nanao and Anamizu along the line will fully cover the maintenance and repair costs of railway facilities currently borne by Noto Railway, and Noto Railway will change to a more sustainable business structure that allows it to focus on safe operation.
Reconstruction over 10 years at a cost of 7.3 billion yen
Measures to improve convenience for users include updating the cars of local trains to electric diesel cars with good acceleration performance over the next three years to increase speed, and improving the rails and sleepers to improve ride comfort. Station facilities will also be improved, including cashless payment through digital tickets, installation of operation information devices, barrier-free measures, and strengthening connections with secondary transportation. In addition, efforts will be made to promote tourism by utilizing tourist trains such as the “Storyteller Train,” “Pokemon Train,” and “Noto Satoyama Satoumi Train,” as well as to raise awareness of “My Rail,” such as fare discounts for local users.
The total cost of the reconstruction project is approximately 7.3 billion yen, of which the government plans to use subsidies from the national government, the subsidy rate of which will be increased due to the approval of this plan, for capital investment in cars, stations, etc. If Noto Railway’s business structure remains as it is, the company expects to incur a net loss of approximately 15 million yen in 10 years’ time. However, due to the effects of the restructuring project, the loss is expected to be reduced to approximately 760,000 yen.
