Seibu Railway to raise fares after 24 years

Seibu Holdings announced that its subsidiary, Seibu Railway, has applied for approval to revise passenger fares, effective March 2026. This marks the first fare increase in 24 years, excluding changes due to consumption tax adjustments. The revision aims to address evolving lifestyles, aging infrastructure, labor shortages, and rising material costs. The proposed changes include an average fare increase of 10.7%, translating to an 8.4% rise in revenue. Commuter passes will see a 10% increase, while student passes will remain unchanged. Seibu Railway anticipates average annual revenue of ¥110.95 billion from 2026-2028 with the fare hike. The company plans to invest approximately ¥210 billion annually in safety measures and ¥137 billion in improving the value of its train lines.