空港利用増加とBP効果　札幌圏で初めて営業利益黒字　黄色線区は赤字155億円に拡大　JR北海道

JR Hokkaido has announced its financial results for each line section for the last fiscal year. Read the article for this video https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/stv/category... While the Sapporo area achieved a profit for the first time, the deficits on regional lines remain significant, highlighting the challenges of maintaining those lines. This is JR Shin-Chitose Airport Station, bustling with many passengers. The Rapid Airport train, with its constant flow of people carrying suitcases and other luggage, serves as a major artery connecting Shin-Chitose Airport and the Sapporo area. This increase in airport users has boosted JR Hokkaido's performance. (Kengo Murabayashi, Director, JR Hokkaido) "For the first time, the Sapporo area has achieved a profit for the full year. The large number of airport users was a major factor." JR Hokkaido announced its financial results for each line section for the last fiscal year. The Sapporo area, which includes four lines such as the Chitose Line where the Rapid Airport train runs, recorded an operating profit of 973 million yen, its first profit since the figures were made public. A major factor is the increased use of the line for access to the Kitahiroshima Ballpark and New Chitose Airport. (User) "Recently, I've noticed it's been quite crowded." (User) "Especially since the Escon train opened, it's often crowded when I ride. I'd be happy if they increased the number of trains." On the other hand, strengthening transport capacity remains a challenge. The section between Minami-Chitose Station and New Chitose Airport Station is a single-track section with only one track, allowing for a maximum of six trains per hour. In March, the Hokkaido government submitted a request to the national government for strengthening transport capacity. Proposals include double-tracking by adding tracks, and creating a loop by extending the line from New Chitose Airport Station to connect to the Sapporo-bound line. (Kengo Murabayashi, Director, JR Hokkaido) "It's difficult to adjust the timetable any further on the Chitose Line, so we want to explore ways to improve it and implement any feasible solutions." While the Sapporo area performed well, the total operating loss for all sections combined was approximately 56.1 billion yen last fiscal year. In particular, the deficit for the eight sections (yellow lines) that JR Hokkaido considers difficult to maintain on its own reached 15.5 billion yen. This is an increase of approximately 700 million yen from the previous year. (Kengo Murabayashi, Director, JR Hokkaido) "The fact remains that we have a deficit of the same size as, or even larger than, that of fiscal year 2024, so it remains difficult for us to continue maintaining this amount on our own." JR has proposed proposals such as a "separation of infrastructure and operation" model, requesting that local governments along the lines bear some of the costs, but negotiations remain stalled due to opposition from the local governments. The Sekihoku Line, which also carries freight trains transporting agricultural products, has the largest deficit among the eight sections at 5.2 billion yen. Abashiri City, a municipality along the line, wants to encourage increased usage as a local community, but... (Mayor Yoichi Mizutani, Abashiri City) "I think we need to start with discussions with JR, Hokkaido, and the national government. As a local community, we want to continue various discussions based on those discussions." While the Sapporo area is performing well, how will the lines that support the region be maintained? The search for solutions will continue. (Broadcast July 4, 2026) #JR Hokkaido #Profit #Loss-making lines