鉄道運賃、変動制を検討　混雑の緩和促進で―国交省

　国土交通省が、混雑状況などに応じて鉄道の運賃を変える変動料金制の導入に向けて検討を始めたことが２日、分かった。新型コロナウイルス感染拡大で時差通勤が広がる中、変動料金制でこうした混雑緩和の流れを後押ししたい考えだ。
　今後の中長期的な政策指針となる交通政策基本計画案に盛り込み、１日の有識者会議で提示した。今年春に基本計画を正式決定する見通しで、具体的な混雑緩和効果などを検証する。
　鉄道各社の間ではコロナ禍で変動料金制への関心が高まっており、ＪＲ東日本やＪＲ西日本が検討する方針を表明している。混雑緩和に加え、ピークに合わせた現行の人員や車両の運用を見直し、コスト削減を図る狙いもある。
　ただ、変動制によって混雑時の運賃が引き上げられる場合には、国交省の認可が必要となる。国交省は基本計画に沿って変動料金制の効果や課題について検討を進める。（2021/02/02-15:13）

The Japanese transport ministry has begun considering introducing a system in which train fares vary depending on the level of congestion and other conditions, it was learned Tuesday.
   The ministry hopes to help ease congestion on trains further with a flexible fare system at a time when the ongoing coronavirus crisis is prompting more and more companies to adopt staggered commuting.
   The flexible fare plan was included in a draft basic program on the nation's transportation policy, which was presented to Monday's meeting of a relevant panel of experts, informed sources said.
   The basic program, which will serve as the ministry's medium- to long-term transport policy guidelines, is expected to be formalized this spring. Based on the program, the ministry will examine congestion-easing effects of the proposed fare system and issues that need to be cleared, the sources said.
   East Japan Railway Co. , or JR East, and West Japan Railway Co. , or JR West have voiced their intentions to consider such a system, prompted by the spread of the new coronavirus.