三陸鉄道開業４０年　運転課長の思い　最大の苦難は東日本大震災　台風・コロナ禍を乗り越え＜岩手県＞ (24/04/16 21:50)

Sanriku Railway, a third-sector company funded by Iwate Prefecture and local governments along the line, celebrated its 40th anniversary in April 2024. We interviewed the chief of the operations department, who has been a long-time train driver through the company's troubled history. Sanriku Railway took over the unprofitable lines of the former Japanese National Railways and opened in April 1984 between Kuji and Miyako and Kamaishi and Mori. To mark the 40th anniversary, a commemorative train ran on April 1st, and passengers were treated to hairy crab soup at Miyako Station. The railway is an indispensable part of Sanriku as a means of transportation and a tourist attraction. A resident along the line said: "The scenery is beautiful. Having the Sanriku Railway running brings energy to the local area." "It's not just a convenient form of transportation, I think it also brings vitality to the area." A commemorative ceremony was also held in Miyako City on April 13th. Governor Tasso remarked, "Sanriku Railway's trains themselves are beloved as characters representing Iwate," to which President Yoshiaki Ishikawa responded with the following words: Sanriku Railway President Yoshiaki Ishikawa "All of our employees will continue to work together to fulfill our mission of protecting local transportation and contributing to the development of the Sanriku region." Sanriku Railway has overcome many hardships over the past 40 years. Hiroyuki Komukai (54), a long-time driver with 35 years of service, looks back on his days thus far: Sanriku Railway Manager Hiroyuki Komukai "We owe it all to our customers, and we are filled with gratitude for having come this far." Sanriku Railway's greatest hardship was the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. While crew and passengers on trains in operation were safe, the tsunami washed away station buildings and tracks, causing damage in 317 locations and resulting in the closure of the entire line. Komukai felt the violent shaking while taking over train operations at Miyako Station. Sanriku Railway's Komukai Hiroyuki, Transfer Manager "I don't think I was calm, but I had a sense that this was a serious matter. I felt that we had to do what we had to do." While cities were littered with rubble and roads were cut off, leaving many people without transportation, Sanriku Railway quickly resumed operations in sections that were least affected. Passengers "Sanriku Railway was the first to act, so I'm really grateful." At times, Komukai and other employees operated trains in place of signals and railroad crossings. Steady, step-by-step restoration work was underway to reconnect the railway. And then... Sanriku Railway President Masahiko Mochizuki (at the time) "I hereby declare the resumption of service on all Sanriku Railway lines." In April 2014, the North Rias Line and South Rias Line were fully restored, and trains resumed running across Sanriku as a symbol of reconstruction. Local Resident "I'm so happy. I'll have a drink tonight." "I think of them as a symbol of hope." Komukae recalls that at the time, he was solely motivated to respond to the support for Sanriku Railway. Sanriku Railway Lucky Transfer Section Chief Komukae Hiroshi "We received so many encouraging words that it was amazing to see such support for a railway, and we wanted to put those words of support into practice." Sanriku Railway then took over operation of the formerly closed JR Yamada Line between Miyako and Kamaishi, and in March 2019, the 163-kilometer Rias Line connected the coastline. Just seven months later, in October 2019, the Sanriku Railway was hit by another disaster. A typhoon suspended service on 70% of the line. Five months later, with support from across the country, the line was restored, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The number of tourists on the famous kotatsu train was also limited, resulting in a significant decline in tourist numbers. Fare revenue for fiscal year 2020 was approximately 256 million yen, a 45% decrease from fiscal year 2019. Guide "There are many things that will never come back, but more than that, I was able to learn about the kindness and warmth of people." However, thanks to unique initiatives such as operating an earthquake education train to convey the lessons of that day, the line has recovered, with fare revenue for fiscal year 2023 increasing by 21% compared to fiscal year 2020. These are the thoughts that have supported Komukai-san through some difficult times. Sanriku Railway, Komukai Hiroshi, Lucky Transfer Section Chief "Meeting people is a big part of it. Passengers who get off the train express their satisfaction and gratitude, and that's what gives me the most joy and satisfaction. I want our young crew members to have the opportunity to experience these experiences." Komukae has also dedicated himself to training younger drivers to carry Sanriku Railway into the future. Sanriku Railway, Komukai Hiroshi,...