The specified local lines (特定地方交通線, Tokutei chihōkōtsū sen) were the railway lines specified by Japanese National Railways (JNR) under the 1980 JNR Reconstruction Act (国鉄改革法, Kokutetsu kaikaku hō) to be closed. All of 83 lines were closed and substituted by buses or transferred to other railway operators between 1983 and 1990.
Selection
Article 8 of the JNR Reconstruction Act (officially the Act on Special Measures concerning Reconstruction Promotion of Management of Japanese National Railways, Act No. 111 of 1980) directed JNR to specify unprofitable lines ("specified local lines") that should be replaced by bus operations based on certain criteria set by a Cabinet Order.[1]
However, even if Units of transportation measurement were below 4000 per day, these 51 sections which met the following requirements were exempt from being decommissioned.[2]
The amount of passengers at peak time is over 1000 per hour in one direction.
There is a lack of replacement roads.
Replacement roads cannot be used during the winter over 10 days due to snow.
The average length of usage is over 30km, and the units of transportation measurement is over 1000 per day.
If the line is being used for cargo transportation, the line was exempt if the line transported if units of transportation measurement for cargo exceeded 4000t of cargo transported per day.
