Japan's Mount Fuji plans to adopt the CRRC smart rail scheme to abandon the original light rail plan

In order to reduce the carbon footprint of Mt. Fuji and congestion during peak climbing periods, the Japanese government plans to launch a new plan to transport climbers using a trackless rubber-tired tram system developed by CRRC. A person familiar with the matter revealed the plan, which has not yet been made public.

The new proposal is intended to replace the previously planned light rail system, which was originally planned to connect the foot of Mt. Fuji to the popular Yoshida Trail 5th Station (the starting point of the summit). The original plan was shelved due to concerns expressed by local cities and stakeholders about the environmental impact and high cost of the LRT system.

Mt. Fuji is located on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, and Yamanashi Prefecture is home to the most popular route for climbers, and the new plan is expected to be announced soon. According to people familiar with the matter, the information has not been made public, and the name is not available for the time being.

Mt. Fuji has seen a surge in tourists in recent years as one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. However, the pollution caused by the frequent entry of tourist buses and private cars into the 5th station, as well as the overcrowding of the hiking trails, have become major problems for the management.

Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. However, this designation comes with requirements to reduce visitor congestion, reduce environmental damage, and restore tourist-induced landscapes such as large-scale parking lots.

The "Intelligent Rail Express System", a trolleybus to be introduced this time, was developed by CRRC and uses magnetic marker guidance technology to achieve unmanned driving. Yamanashi Prefecture plans to use locally produced hydrogen energy to power electric vehicles. The new system is expected to cut project costs by about 40 percent compared to the previous light rail system, which was budgeted at 140 billion yen ($895 million), according to people familiar with the matter.

In addition, the plan also plans to use the existing Fuji Subaru Line, a toll road for Mt. Fuji, and completely prohibit private cars and sightseeing buses from entering the 5th station area. Yamanashi Prefecture hopes to start trial operation in the new fiscal year starting in April 2025.

In the future, Yamanashi Prefecture also plans to establish a tram network covering local municipalities and connect with the maglev railway system that Chuo Japan Railway plans to open in the 2030s.

Yamanashi declined to comment on the plan.

During this year's summer climbing season, which runs from July to September, Mount Fuji hosted 204,316 climbers. The local government has said it wants to use the public transport system to control the number of tourists and protect this precious cultural and natural heritage.

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