JR East Fare Increases

On Thursday, I read on the Japan Today website that JR East would be increasing its fares across its entire service area by an average of 7.1% on Friday, the next day. This was the first I had heard of this increase, just one day before the increase was implemented, and I was quite surprised. I often travel by train, and even though I live in the JR Central area, JR East area begins in Atami, which is not far from me.

Regular fares increased 7.8%, commuter passes 12.0%, and student passes by 4.9%. The largest increases will be in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. JR claims the increase is needed to cover rising costs of maintenance inspections and railway improvements.

The costs of so many things seem to be rising. Do you feel that way too?