Summary of the event

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 The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the management of railroad industries in both the U.S. and Japan, as it has led to an increase in teleworking, changes in shopping behavior, and a sharp decline in tourist traffic. Railroad companies in both countries are faced with decisions on how to respond to the drastic changes in user behavior and how to ensure the resilience of their business operations in the future, a topic of great interest among transportation professionals in both countries.

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 APTA (American Public Transportation Association), JTTRI, and JITTI USA held a virtual round table on December 8th, 2021 to exchange their views and to discuss the above issues.

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 At the event, senior executives of major U.S. commuter rail operators presented their latest strategies, including the need for a new interpretation of security and safety, flexible fare options to accommodate changing work patterns, and the need to improve the customer experience. From the Japan side, senior executives from leading railroad companies presented their latest initiatives, including measures to disperse passengers during peak hours in consideration of diversifying user lifestyles, measures to utilize space inside stations such as the development of shared offices, and measures to improve the cost structure.

 This meeting was held as a closed session between people in the industry and the governments of both countries. A total of 108 people participated.