TOKYO – East Japan Railway Co. on Saturday raised its fares by an average 7.1 percent, its first hike aimed at boosting revenue since the major rail company’s privatization in 1987.
JR East plans to use the revenue increase to invest more in safety measures and accessibility improvement for the elderly and disabled.
The company serving eastern Japan including the Tokyo region as well as northeastern and central parts of the country raised its regular fares by an average 7.8 percent and by 12.0 percent for commuter passes, while the hike for student passes is smaller at 4.9 percent.
The minimum base fare rose to 160 yen ($1) from 150 yen, though the increase for rides using a prepaid card is a smaller 8 yen, or 9 yen for the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo.
A ticket for a shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Sendai in northeastern Japan, for instance, has gone up to 11,630 yen from 11,410 yen.
Commuter passes and advance tickets purchased by Friday can be used without additional charge.
JR East expects the fare hike to push up its annual revenue by 88.1 billion yen, though income from its mainstay rail business has been on a downward trend due to declining ridership with the spread of remote work.
The company’s previous fare increases were due to consumption tax hikes.
AloJapan.com