Nagasaki Trams

[bill937ca]

Nagasaki Electric Tramway Update

 

Changes are coming to the Nagasaki Electric Tramway’s four route tram network. The Kyushu Transportation Bureau approved the Nagasaki Electric Railway’s request to increase Japan’s lowest tram fare on August 31, 2009.  On October 1, 2009 fares will go to 120 Yen (60 Yen below the junior high school student) from the present 100 Yen (50 Yen) after staying at 100 Yen for 25 years.  Even after the fare increase, Nagasaki will retain the lowest tram in Japan. The next lowest fare is 140 Yen on the Okayama Electric Railway and on Tokyu’s Setagaya line in Tokyo.

 

Smart cards fare collection was announced on February 13, 2008 introduced to Nagasaki on March 20, 2008.  When the smart card system was announced it was also announced the sale of paper tickets (11 for 1,000 Yen) would be discontinued.  Paper ticket sales ended on December 31, 2008 and the last day paper tickets will be accepted will be September 30, 2009. The next day the fare goes to 120 Yen.

 

Nagasaki Electric Tramway applied for the fare increase on August 3, 2009 citing declining traffic due to a drop in tourists, declining birthrate, the spreading use of private cars and the growing proportion of elderly people who have less need for trams.  The number of passengers carried has decreased from a peak of 21.79 in fiscal year 1994 to 19.04 million.

 

Cash fares are rising 20%, commutation ticket will rise 15% while the one day (adult) ticket remains at 500 Yen.

 

The 100 Yen has endured for 25 years since the last increase in 1984 from the old fare of 90 Yen. In spite of the introduction of a 3% consumption tax in 1989 and the increase of the consumption tax to 5% in 1997, the 100 Yen fare was maintained.

 

Measures to improve user services were mentioned in the fare application with a capital investment of 450 million Yen during 2010-2012 including track maintenance, more accessible stops, and more super low floor trams.

 

Nagasaki Electric Tramway's operating ratio is projected as 92.3 for fiscal 2009, 84.3 for fiscal 2010, 84.4 for fiscal 2011 and 83.7 for fiscal 2012.  Fiscal years end on March 31st in Japan.

 

 

 

 

Documents (in Japanese).

Fare Increase Application

http://www.naga-den.com/kikaku/logo/2009untin.pdf

 

Fare Increase Approval

http://www.naga-den.com/kikaku/logo/2009untin_2.pdf

 

Nagasaki Electric Tramway fan site with news blog.

http://www.nagasaki-romen.com/

[bikkuri bahn]

120 yen is still pretty cheap.  Here in Sapporo it costs 170 yen to ride the single streetcar line, which doesn't go anywhere of great interest to visitors, except perhaps the ropeway up Mt. Moiwa.

[Bernard]

120 yen is still pretty cheap.  Here in Sapporo it costs 170 yen to ride the single streetcar line, which doesn't go anywhere of great interest to visitors, except perhaps the ropeway up Mt. Moiwa.

 

That's real good. All transportation by the MTA in NYC, subways & buses, is $2.25 or 205 yen.

And visitors can get lost where ever they want.