Richard_the_First said...

Richard_the_First at 08:39 PM JST - 29th March

Being able to u-turn would be useful, it's true. Of course toll free roads would be perfect but being Japan, it isn't going to happen in a hurry. Reduced fares is one way to reduce the impact of said highway robbery.

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 08:39 PM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 05:23 PM JST - 29th March

It encourages the use of ETC which is a good thing. Luddites who clog the toll gates because they refuse to join the 21st century, cause traffic congestion for those of us with ETC equipped cars.

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 05:23 PM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 12:28 PM JST - 29th March

smithinjapan,

You are right though. It wont affect those pottering about taking the kids to ballet classes or visiting the pachinko parlour, etc. Obviously it will just encourage motorists to go further than they normally would.

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 12:28 PM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 12:25 PM JST - 29th March

What an idiotic idea.... "stimulating" the economy by encouraging the use (and import of) more fossil fuels with no other economic benefit than people driving around. Simply brilliant!

I take it you don't own a car then? If you do and use the expressways, you will understand why traffic…

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 12:25 PM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 11:42 AM JST - 29th March

Train fares are relatively cheap as it is. Motorists have been ripped off for years with these outrageous tolls, so it's about time. Once a road is paid off it should be free, or have a nominal toll. So why do drivers have to pay such high prices for using…

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 11:42 AM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 11:14 AM JST - 29th March

Tree huggers forget the fact that people don't really care about the environment, all they care about is getting on with their lives. Cars are not going to magically vanish any time soon, as they take you from your point of departure to your destination, which is something public transport…

Posted in Expressway toll discounts begin; traffic up 46% in Fukushima at 11:14 AM JST - 29th March
Richard_the_First at 10:19 AM JST - 26th March

I wish the Japanese would follow the same mind set at the beach though. Pocari Sweat cans and empty cup noodles don't make beaches pretty.

Posted in Japanese teach Parisiens about street tidiness at 10:19 AM JST - 26th March
Richard_the_First at 11:10 AM JST - 25th March

I just wish, since it's an international incident in a way, the government could focus even a miniscule FRACTION of what they do on, say, the abduction issue on catching this guy. I realize he's only one person, but my point is if it's a Japanese national who is abducted/killed…

Posted in Hawker's family disappointed at lack of progress in investigation at 11:10 AM JST - 25th March
Richard_the_First at 10:22 AM JST - 25th March

The case goes away when the family leave. It's sad for the family but the police have a lot to do, and this case isn't the only one they have on their plate. The fact that she is a foreigner adds to this as, most locals probably don't care enough…

Posted in Hawker's family disappointed at lack of progress in investigation at 10:22 AM JST - 25th March
Richard_the_First at 11:18 AM JST - 24th March

The poor woman will be mentally scarred for life too. May never use trains again.

Posted in Man arrested for attempted murder after pushing woman off platform at Tokyo station at 11:18 AM JST - 24th March