JR East Announces Ambitious Plans for Driverless Shinkansen by Mid-2030s

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has unveiled groundbreaking plans to introduce driverless bullet trains by the mid-2030s, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

JR East reveals ambitious plans for driverless Shinkansen, aiming for full automation by mid-2030s to enhance efficiency and sustainability in rail travel.

On Tuesday, JR East announced its intention to implement driverless technology initially on the Joetsu Shinkansen line, which connects Niigata and Tokyo. The company will adopt a phased approach to automation, beginning with a focus on integrating the second level of automation on this high-speed rail route.

By fiscal 2028, which concludes in March 2029, JR East plans to operate bullet trains with this intermediate level of automation between Nagaoka Station and the Niigata shinkansen station center. This marks the initial step towards a fully driverless system, which will be progressively developed over the coming years.