March 25, 2010

A thought on highways in Japan


Every now and then we head on a highway to get around to our hikes. In comparison to slow and narrow country roads highways are quite convenient, I have to admit. But different from Finland, highways in Japan are tolled. I miss driving a toll free road, though in Finland we probably pay more in taxes to pay for new highways and keep old ones in condition.

The toll in Japan sums up from the distance driven. For example entering to highway in Tokyo and getting out at Oita would cost around 24 800 YEN (200 EUR) plus the gasoline from 1 228 km’s.

For our fortune the Japanese Government decided as stimulus to set a fixed rate for weekends: 1 000 YEN – no matter what the distance is. So two weeks ago on Sunday we drove from Kobe down to Oita, paying no more than 1 000 YEN.

Though the inexpensive highway tolls make many people, including me pleased, I think there are several defects in this type of economical stimulus. The core idea: make people travel on the week ends and spend money while doing it is not bad. But why it has to be by car?

Take for example the climate change that has been a recent subject of debate. The 1000 road toll incentive has make people to rush to highways; creating congestion and for sure loads of excess carbon dioxide. For instance the Osaka Express experienced a traffic increase of 40% right after the change had came in to force. I can imagine the pissed truck drivers, who previously enjoyed congestion free roads, and now are miserably stuck in the sluggish weekend traffic. But moreover, by a decision to increase individual leisure driving the Japanese Government did not have climate change as a priority.

Secondly, how can the high toll fees that applied earlier be justified? For many drivers the fixed toll fee brings drastic discounts. Considering for example, the journey from Tokyo to Oita it is now 96% cheaper to traverse. Naturally more kilometers yield a better discount. Meanwhile citizens enjoy a cut rate the Japanese Government suffers from the lost toll income. In fact the time could not be much worse as the Government could use all extra yens to deal with its government debt that seems skyrocketing.

Third, which alternatives were considered? As said, making people move is not a bad idea but how it can be enabled in a number of ways. Could a similar kind of discount or subsidy be entitled for public transportation? Bullet train trip for 1 000 would probably be too generous and only create unneeded hassle to stations. However, a subtle discount would direct a manageable amount of traffic to rails and busses. Utilize fully the public transportation and make an effort in climate change!

A Japanese coworker made a comment:
Having 1 000 yen highway tolls is linked to Prime minister Hatoyama’s and his party’s escalation.

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