From October 1, JR East to Begin Crew-Assisted Ramp Service on the Jōetsu, Shin’etsu, and Agatsuma Lines

From DPI Japan

September 26 2025

TOKYO – Since June of this year, JR East has been providing assistance for wheelchair boarding and alighting using portable ramps handled by train crew at some stations on the Echigo Line. Starting October 1, this service will also be introduced on the Jōetsu Line (between Takasaki Station and Minakami Station), the Shin’etsu Line (between Takasaki Station and Yokokawa Station), and the Agatsuma Line (between Takasaki Station and Ōmae Station).

Crew-assisted ramp services have been in place since 2022 at certain stations operated by JR Kyushu, JR East, JR Central, JR West, and JR Shikoku. Within JR East, they are already available at selected stations on the Ōme Line, Sōbu Main Line, Narita Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibō Line, Kururi Line, Sagami Line, Ryōmō Line, and Echigo Line.

DPI encourages wheelchair users living along these lines to try the service and share your feedback.