上田電鉄株式会社

Between November 29 and December 1, 2021, a safety audit was conducted on Ueda Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (法人番号4100001011197) headquartered in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. The audit revealed issues requiring corrective measures, leading to an administrative guidance issued on March 23, 2022, under the Railway Business Act. The guidance specifies the need to establish a system for accurately grasping on-site conditions, regularly verify operational status, organize issues, and strengthen safety management systems to ensure the feasibility of improvements. Specific issues include: 1. Failure to revise internal standards for vehicle inspection limits and standards when changed, and inadequate communication of necessary information to Tokyu Corporation, which is entrusted with inspections. The company must review inspection practices, ensure compliance with safety management regulations, and strengthen management systems with its contractors. 2. Obstructions caused by structures on the up-line platform at Shimonogō Station, which violate the building clearance standards stipulated in the Track Maintenance Guidelines (Implementation Standards) Article 23. Multiple locations were found in the 2020 Bessho Line platform survey where clearances are obstructed or at risk. The company must take appropriate measures to rectify these obstructions, deepen employees' understanding of building clearance standards, enhance interdepartmental coordination during construction, and review the survey process annually to ensure compliance. The guidance emphasizes the importance of maintaining safety standards and proper management to prevent infrastructure obstructions and ensure safe railway operations.