Scrapping of road tolls could hit rail revenue
The Japanese government’s programme to scrap road tolls is expected to have a major impact on revenue for rail companies across the country.
At present there is a pilot scheme to scrap tolls on 50 sections of 37 rural expressways, which has seen road traffic jump by approximately 63%, and this will last until next March.
East Japan Railway president Satoshi Seino said that the rail company may lose 1 billion yen a year in revenue if the scheme is rolled out countrywide.
Not all car users are fully supportive of road toll abolition and have expressed concern that the expressways could become congested as a result.
Shinkansen train at speed. Picture: www.upmain.com
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