The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism published the FY2024 urban railway congestion rate survey results, reporting increased average congestion rates in the three major metropolitan areas.
According to survey results, average congestion rates during morning peak hours in the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka metropolitan areas increased from the previous year, confirming that railway usage is recovering as it had significantly declined due to the impact of COVID-19. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, multiple sections on major lines recorded congestion rates exceeding 150%, with particularly high congestion rates recorded on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line and Odakyu Odawara Line.
Detailed analysis by line shows that while conventional peak concentration has slightly dispersed due to telework adoption, congestion has become serious again with overall recovery in passenger numbers. Particularly on access lines to central urban areas, sections with congestion rates exceeding 180% are observed, becoming issues from user comfort and safety perspectives.
By region, the Tokyo metropolitan area has the highest congestion rates, followed by the Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas in order. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, unipolar concentration toward central Tokyo is the main cause of congestion, while in the Osaka metropolitan area, commuting demand to central Osaka, and in the Nagoya metropolitan area, commuting demand to central Nagoya creates congestion. Meanwhile, passenger number recovery remains limited in regional urban areas.
Based on these survey results, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is requesting railway operators to strengthen congestion mitigation measures. Specifically, measures including promotion of staggered commuting, train car additions, increased operation frequency, and promotion of platform door installation are being considered. Also proposed are provision of congestion information utilizing digital technology and introduction of incentive systems promoting demand dispersion.
The article shows that urban railway issues in the post-COVID era are entering a new phase, with construction of sustainable transportation systems considering changes in work styles becoming an important policy issue.