Q: Should railway or bus lines making no profits swiftly be eliminated?
A: The discussion should be held until the last minute in order not to suspend the service; the value of transport lies in its network.
Fukuoka City Government, local public transportation companies, and local neighborhood communities are collaborating in the implementation of transportation services in these rural areas, as well as newly developed residential areas, to secure the means of transportation for the residents in the areas, aiming at public transportation blank areas to a minimum. For example, the substitution of local bus routes for shared taxis and the introduction of demand-responsive transportation.
Eliminating Public Transport Inconvenient Areas in Fukuoka City
Fukuoka City has progressively developed as the administrative and commercial center of the Kyushu Region, and the areas in the city with the convenience of transportation attract the population of working ages. At the same time, the population in remote areas is decreasing, but the elderly population still keeps living in rural areas of the city.
In the rural areas, the bus services considered financially not viable have been slashed because of the decreased and aged population in the area, as well as the shortage of public transport drivers. However, the population must depend on their own means of transport, such as private cars, to go shopping for their necessities or go to the hospital. However, the number of accidents caused by the carelessness of elderly drivers has increased, and it is also becoming a social issue. The areas need to be in the public transport network to solve this problem.
Fukuoka City Government, local public transportation companies, and local neighborhood communities have started to collaborate in the implementation of transportation services in these rural areas as well as newly developed residential areas to secure the means of transportation for the residents in the areas, aiming at public transportation blank areas to a minimum. For example, the substitution of local bus routes for shared taxis or community buses and the introduction of demand-responsive transportation. Some operate on fixed schedules, and some do not have fixed routes and frequencies, operating on demand.
The means of transport in these areas are important, not only for the residents but also for future visitors to these areas. Untouched nature is preserved in many rural areas, and it has the potential to be a tourist attraction, and easy access by tourists is desired. Increasing visitors can also bring vibrancy to the areas and contribute to the local economy.
[Case ID: Urban Transportation UT-05]