大井川鐵道株式会社

Between October 14-16 and November 4-6, 2025, the Shizuoka District Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd. (corporate number 1080001013422), headquartered in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The audit revealed several issues requiring improvement, including: 1. Railway facilities such as the easing curve between Kanaya Station and Ieyama Station, retaining wall near 0.8 km mark between Kanaya and Shin-Kanaya stations, and the platform canopy at Ieyama Station do not match construction plans. The company is instructed to undertake procedures under Article 12 of the Railway Business Act, improve staff training and internal verification systems, and report measures by May 1, 2026. 2. Regular inspections per Article 41 of the Civil Engineering Standards (Implementation Standards) revealed that: - Divergence in switch track alignment exceeding standards was not corrected. - Excessive clearance in track gauge was not addressed. - Platform at Kawane Onsen Sasamada Station was not repaired despite obstructing the building limit. The company must promptly carry out necessary maintenance, ensure proper facility management, and establish a system for compliance. 3. Some sideline tracks at Shin-Kanaya Station were not inspected for track misalignment, rail condition, or switch devices. The company must ensure regular inspections or cease use as appropriate. 4. Tunnel assessments classified as 'AA' and 'A1' were confirmed to be in stable condition after on-site checks, and no restrictions on use are necessary. The company should re-evaluate all tunnels and establish proper maintenance systems. 5. The recurrence prevention measures for a train separation incident on January 30, 2010, have not been properly implemented. The company must take necessary actions to prevent future incidents. 6. Changes made on September 3, 2010, to vehicle standards regarding inspection items for coupling devices were not reflected in current management, and inspections have not been conducted. The standards must be properly managed and inspections enforced. 7. Some onboard equipment, such as displays of station names and operational info on 6000 series trains, was found malfunctioning. Corrective measures are required. 8. Inspections of train vehicles revealed missing or incomplete checks on electrical equipment, bogies, and couplings. The company must organize and perform all necessary inspections. 9. The height of couplers during comprehensive vehicle inspections was not verified against design specifications, impairing inspection accuracy. The company must ensure proper verification and establish a suitable inspection system. The company is instructed to investigate root causes, implement corrective actions, and report by May 1, 2026, to ensure ongoing safety and compliance.

Between October 14-16 and November 4-6, 2025, the Shizuoka District Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd. (corporate number 1080001013422), headquartered in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The audit revealed several issues requiring corrective action, including: 1) discrepancies between existing railway facilities and construction plans, such as the insertion of easing curves between Kanaya and Ieyama stations, retaining walls near 0.8 km mark, and station platform roofing; 2) failure to perform required periodic inspections under the civil engineering standards, including track gauge, elevation, and turnout inspections, with specific deficiencies in maintaining standards for switch track alignment, clearance, and platform safety at Kawane Onsen Sasamado Station; 3) lack of inspections on some sideline tracks at Shin-Kanaya Station; 4) incorrect assessment of tunnel conditions, with some tunnels judged as safe despite signs of deterioration; 5) failure to implement measures to prevent train separation incidents that occurred on January 30, 2010; 6) omission of inspection items for coupling devices on vehicles, including recent management lapses; 7) malfunctioning of display equipment on 6000 series trains; 8) incomplete inspections of train vehicles, including electrical equipment and mechanical parts; and 9) lack of proper measurement of coupler heights across vehicle types, affecting safety checks. The company is instructed to investigate root causes, take necessary corrective actions, improve staff training, and submit a report by May 1, 2026, including measures to prevent recurrence and ensure ongoing compliance with railway safety standards.

Between October 7 and 9, 2024, the Shizuoka Prefectural Transport Bureau conducted a safety audit of Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd. The audit revealed that the company had not conducted inspections of track material wear during switch inspections as required by Article 41 of the Civil Engineering Standards for Track Inspection. Additionally, it was confirmed that the E34 electric locomotive exceeded the inspection cycle stipulated in the Standards for State Function Inspection under Article 36 of the Vehicle Standards. The bureau instructed the company to implement necessary corrective actions, including education, training, and establishing a system to properly monitor inspection status, and to ensure regular and proper vehicle inspections. The company must report the measures taken by April 25, 2025.

Between October 7 and 9, 2024, the Chubu Transportation Bureau conducted a safety audit of Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd. (corporate number 1080001013422) headquartered in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The audit revealed that the company did not perform inspections of track material wear during switch inspections as required by Article 41 of the Civil Engineering Standards for Track Inspection. Additionally, the company exceeded the inspection cycle for the E34 electric locomotive as specified in Article 36 of the Vehicle Standards. Based on these findings, the bureau has issued administrative guidance, instructing the company to investigate the root causes, implement preventive measures, and report the actions taken by April 25, 2025. The company must ensure proper training, establish systems to monitor inspection compliance, and take necessary corrective actions to ensure safety standards are met.

Between May 9 and May 12, 2023, the Chubu Transportation Bureau conducted safety audits of Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd. (corporate number 1080001013422), headquartered in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The audit revealed that the company had not conducted regular inspections of the overpasses, joint plates, track beds, platforms, and drainage channels on the Oigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line as required by the Civil Engineering Standards Article 41, and that inspection items for overpass structures were not specified in the Building Inspection Standards Article 6. The company was instructed to promptly carry out necessary inspections, revise relevant regulations to ensure regular inspections are reliably conducted, and to educate and train staff responsible for inspections to establish a system for monitoring inspection implementation. Additionally, at the Kadoide Station platform, it was confirmed that the building clearance specified in the Civil Engineering Standards Article 19 was obstructed, despite awareness of this issue. The company was instructed to take immediate corrective actions based on Standards Article 19 and the Building Maintenance Guidelines Article 11, and to ensure proper maintenance and management of railway facilities in compliance with applicable laws and standards, establishing a system for appropriate facility maintenance and management.

On May 21, 2022, an incident occurred where a falling concrete fragment inside the First Kamekubo Tunnel, between Kanzo Station and Ikawa Station on the Ikawa Line, impacted a train. The company reported that the latest regular inspection results indicated a health grade of S. Due to concerns about tunnel maintenance and management, an audit was conducted on June 8-10, 2022, which found the need for improvements. The company was instructed to verify the current handling of tunnels and other railway facilities, revise inspection standards appropriately, and ensure proper condition assessments and facility management. The company must also implement necessary staff education and training, review internal management systems, and report on measures taken by September 5, 2022. Specific issues identified include the use of inspection standards not aligned with the 'Maintenance Management Standards' for railway structures, discrepancies in condition assessments, and lack of proper inspections for falling debris and individual structural evaluations. The company is required to address these issues to ensure safety and compliance with the Railway Technical Standards Ordinance.