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JR East announces end to power-saving timetable

18 Comments

JR East has announced that train services in Tokyo, which had been running on a "power-saving timetable" since June 24, are to return to normal scheduling from Sept 9. However, JR also announced Saturday that in response to continuing electricity supply concerns, some services would be cutting back on lighting and air-conditioning.

Local trains on the Musashino, Nambu and Sobu Lines returned to their normal schedules in mid-August in response to customer complaints that the gap between services was too long.

The announcement comes in response to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's decision last week to bring forward the expiry date of its mandatory curb on electricity consumption for most of Tokyo Electric Power Co's service area from Sept 22 to Sept 9, having determined the country's heat wave was coming to an end.

The Japanese government had required large-scale electricity users to cut their peak-hour consumption by 15% due to power constraints following the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The ministry already removed a similar restriction in Tohoku Electric’s territory, severely hit by the earthquake and tsunami, on Friday instead of Sept 9 as previously scheduled.

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18 Comments
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Now refund part of savings to the commuters.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So, they've decided in their benevolence to run the trains more often, thus making more money, but with less "services" such as proper air conditioning.

Insert Bronx Cheer.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Umm, they aren't reducing the A/C to increase profits, they are doing it to conserve electricity. And how much revenue do you think they've lost since the earthquake? I really doubt it's been a money-making exercise for them.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It'll be good to see N'EX back on the usual timetable...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Umm, they aren't reducing the A/C to increase profits, they are doing it to conserve electricity.

No, they are increasing frequency of routes, with less service.

JR East announces end to power-saving timetable

However, JR also announced Saturday that in response to continuing electricity supply concerns, some services would be cutting back on lighting and air-conditioning.

Why not leave the original plan in place? It is too soon to cut back on air conditioning.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Why not also introduce Summer time vs. winter time to get all of Japan to use LESS ELECTRICITY?? People in the winter here wake up 6am etc..and it is still dark as if it were midnight, if not just Tokyo, but all of Japan implemented daylight saving time how much money could all of Japan save, not just JR East Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Once again, giving up common sense and the practical to pander to public complaints. What happened to the Japanese being so 'stoic' in the face of disaster and what not? If the schedule was put in place to conserve resources and save, then why not keep it? As many predicted after the quake and when across Japan companies and people adopted energy saving policies, most are now 'returning to normal'. It seems only the consumers, to an extent, are continuing to try and consume less.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Seriously people, Why the negative posts? Do you not want things to get back to normal? It is after all, all these 'cogs' in our daily lives that make it run smoothly. Japan IS learning to use less power, that much has been proved. I just fail to see how foreigners on this website constantly picking holes into the way this country operates possibly helps. It really does seem like some people are just here (and its always the same people on this site) to complain. If you dislike the country so much, then please leave. It is as simple as that. Yes 'smithinjapan', you are one of them.

@some14some: What 'savings' have they made by reducing their schedule? Again, pointless, negative comment.

@Elbuda: This was the subject of major discussion on this website earlier in the year that you took part in. Yes, I agree, but we know its not just that simple. In any case I believe that Japan needs to shift forward one hour from JST from now and THEN implement Summer time on top of that

0 ( +4 / -5 )

No, they are increasing frequency of routes, with less service.

I'm sorry, I don't follow your reasoning at all. They are returning to something like their pre-March 11 timetable on a few lines, while continuing to attempt to conserve power in other ways- like I said, it's not as if they will have profited out of the whole situation. I agree with the above- always these pointless, negative comments.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Very good post rainman, except for scandinavia basically any western country would look like a joke compared to Japan during this disaster. Cut train service?? Lets have a riot and burn cars and loot some shops!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

and now that Japan is slowly getting back to normal, what do people do? Just complain and say since they were saving power Japanese people should expect to continue with the subpar service...for what? The rest of their life...? Give me a break.

Return to normalcy = good, I dont know what planet you guys live in. I guess japanese people should suffer forever because mother life is a bitch, awesome logic guys.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Musashino line should never have been running on cut schedule anyway - it's always stuffed and only uses 8 cars, which only amplifies the stuffed-ness.

I'm glad to see us getting back to normal train schedules....

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I hope they cut back on the excessive heating on the trains in winter. It's like a sauna sometimes

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It'll be good to see N'EX back on the usual timetable...

oh wow, people still take that thing?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

That's right Rainman1, ever since I joined this forum, most of the comments I read are mainly bellicose & negative ones. Also makes wonder, if they are not happy here, why stay and complaint about it? IMHO, I'm sure most if not all of us foreigners are better off here in Japan than in our places of origin, just be thankful and don't bite the hand that feeds you.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

oh wow, people still take that thing?

A lot of people who use the Japan Rail Pass does. It's a whole lot easier using N'EX to get to Tokyo, Yokohama, Shinagawa or Shinjuku compared to the Keisei Skyliner, especially if you have a healthy amount of luggage.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@NeoJamal: Why would people stop using it? I've gone back to using it more now it stops at Shibuya Station. New Train, onboard wi-fi, comfortable. Your problem with it is....? Please don't come back with the answer that the new Skyliner is quicker. You need to live in Eastern Tokyo for it to be any use.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I'm sorry, I don't follow your reasoning at all.

READ the story. It is made out to make us believe that things are going back to "normal".

And then the "oh, and by the way..."

This is an underhanded way of telling people expect less amenities, but more often, for the same price as pre-March 11.

If anyone else were to offer less services and expect the same money, would they get it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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