TOKYO — Japanese rail operator JR East is considering adding add freight cars to its Shinkansen trains, and may develop entire freight bullet trains, the Japan News reports.
A host of issues remain before the launch of freight-only trains, however, among them facilities to handle the cargo and track space on some lines. But the service could provide speed similar to air freight and highly punctual delivery.
JR East President Yoichi Kise told a press conference, “If freight-only bullet trains are going to play a role in logistics, we’re going to consider developing them.” The company says its goal is to handle 10 billion yen in freight ($66.1 million) annually.
Japan is facing major freight logistics issues since overtime regulations for truck drivers have been tightened, and the government seeks to double the amount of freight moved by rail over the next decade. However, current JR Freight service can accommodate only about 30% more traffic.
JR East would place a freight car at the front of its passenger trains. Such cars would have larger doorways, which could be a structural issue for the carbody.
Reaction to the idea is mixed; the Central Japan Railway expressed concern about how slower, heavier freight trains could affect timekeeping for its passenger bullet trains, and about the need for the service: “There is is no demand more certain than passengers,” a company official said.
It would be the first such dedicated freight service since the bullet trains were introduced in 1964, although JR East began moving small amounts of parcels in regular Shinkansen trains when passenger travel fell during the COVID pandemic, the Ashai Shimbun reports. Other companies followed suit, although only about 40 cardboard boxes of cargo can be handled at one time.
At least they’re thinking about it. Amtrak ditched express service which was well used, at least at Toledo. Why not look at that source of revenue???
(Very fast) Mixed train daily.
Leave it to the Japanese to show us how to do PSR.