JR central adopts strategy to beat airlines: JR central is promising to smash air competition on its key route betweenTokyo and Osaka with new plans for high-speed rail services from 2003. (Japan). From: International Railway Journal | Date: February 1, 2001| Author: Knutton, Mike | COPYRIGHT 2001 Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

CENTRAL Japan Railway (JR Central) is going all out to kill off what it sees as unfair competition from airlines on its primary service between Tokyo and Osaka. It believes the 515km Tokaido Shinkansen corridor belongs naturally to rail and that air is only able to compete because of government concessions such as reducing landing fees.

And, according to Mr Yoshiyuki Kasai, president of JR Central, the railway has to charge fares 20% higher than they should be because of ...