East Japan Railway Co. is reportedly considering the development of a dedicated Shinkansen car that would exclusively carry freight, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun. While JR companies have previously integrated passenger and freight transport by utilizing part of a train car or empty seats, this would mark the first time that cargo-only cars are introduced on Shinkansen trains.
The plan being considered by JR East involves removing all seats from dedicated freight cars in order to accommodate larger and more numerous cargo pieces. One possibility is to designate only the first car of a train for this purpose, ensuring that passengers do not need to pass through it. Alternatively, they may explore options such as enlarging the doors of a freight car for more efficient loading and unloading or even dedicating entire trains solely for cargo transportation.
The integration of freight transport into Shinkansen services began during the COVID-19 pandemic when passenger numbers significantly declined. Since 2021, JR East has been operating full-scale services on the Tohoku Shinkansen and other lines, transporting items like fresh fish and souvenirs. The company aims to commercialize high-speed and high-volume freight transportation by fiscal year 2025 and is currently conducting trials.
However, due to potential decreases in passenger seating capacity resulting from introducing freight-only cars, JR East is still deliberating whether or not to implement such a service and at what scale. They are closely monitoring demand for both passengers and cargo before making any final decisions.
With stricter regulations on truck drivers’ working hours implemented in April 2022 leading to labor shortages in the logistics industry, there is growing optimism surrounding Shinkansen-based transport as an alternative solution.
