Current Status and Issues of the Local Railways

Abstract

In this paper, I will clarify the current status and issues of local railways. This paper will bring together the government’s policy and prior research, and will provide a foothold for future research on local railways. In 2016, 71 of the 96 local railways had account deficits, making their management very difficult. Indeed, since 2000, a total of 879.2 km of railway lines have been ended.

The government, on the other hand, is mostly positive about the continuation of the local railways. The Act on Revitalization and Rehabilitation of Local Public Transportation Systems was enacted in 2007 and the Basic Act on Transportation Policy was enacted in 2013 respectively. Both laws clearly state that (1) the municipalities will play a major role (2) and will cooperate with urban planning (compact city), and (3) will reconstruct the planar public transportation network. In the future, based on the institutional framework of both laws, residents and visitors will be able to make full use of the local railway lines to reach their final destination.