A Single Passenger
In a truly remarkable display of dedication, a train in Japan operated daily for a solitary passenger: schoolgirl Kana Harada. Her situation was exceptional,
as she required the train to travel to and from school. This extraordinary service ran for an impressive three years, a testament to the railway company's values. The reason behind this decision was Kana’s dependency on the train to continue her education. The train would arrive each morning to take her to school and return in the evening to bring her home. This decision was all the more significant when taking into account the decline in the island's population, which had dwindled to a mere 36 residents at one point. Faced with the financial burden of running the service with such low utilization rates, the railway company could have easily shut it down. However, they prioritized her education, keeping the station, Kyu-Shirataki Station, open. The train service continued exclusively for Kana, highlighting a rare instance where education was prioritized over profits.
Population and Context
The extraordinary decision made by the railway company becomes even more significant when you examine the larger context. The island, where Kyu-Shirataki Station was located, was experiencing a sharp decline in its population. This meant the railway was facing operational challenges due to the costs involved in running a train service for only one passenger, with operational costs exceeding the revenue generated. The authorities had considered closing Kyu-Shirataki Station, which was built in 1961, due to the lack of usage. The company, aware of these challenges and the significant cost of operating the route, had to weigh its options. However, Kana's plea demonstrated her reliance on the train to attend school, which ultimately changed their minds. The railway authorities, however, understood the importance of her education and decided to continue operations for an additional three years, acknowledging that her education was more important than a profit-driven decision. This decision was driven by the declining population and the related financial pressures, creating a unique situation that emphasized the value of prioritizing an individual's educational requirements, over the pursuit of profit, when it came down to the two, one won.
Education Over Profit
In 2016, the authorities made the decision to close Kyu-Shirataki Station, but they reconsidered when Kana Harada made a plea to keep the station open. This act highlights the value the railway company placed on Kana's education and its commitment to ensuring she could continue her schooling. This dedication is a testament to the company's values, and it shows how critical it is to prioritize educational needs. The railway company’s decision to continue the train service demonstrates how important it is to prioritize education and demonstrates a compassionate approach. The train’s existence was a symbol of the value placed on her education by the railway company. This remarkable act of commitment, which saw the train continuing to run for three years, is an example of how education can be valued above profits, and how individual requirements could be considered. The service was not just a means of transportation; it became a symbol of support and encouragement for Kana's ambitions. Most days, she was the only passenger.
