Speaking of cutting services, there is a station in Hokkaido will now have only one train service per day. The Shin-Totsukaga Station, which is the terminus of the shortened Sassho Line will have its only train service depart from the station at 9:40 am towards Ishikari-Tobetsu.
Fun Fact: The Hokkaido-Medical University and Shin-Totsukaga section of the Sassho line has the second worst cost/revenue ratio costing JR Hokkaido 2,162 Yen for every 100 Yen earned (the worst being the Ryomoi and Mashike section of the Ryomoi Main Line with a cost/revenue ratio of 4,554)
http://response.jp/category/railway/2016/03/>>937677At that point people would probably be better off taking the Hakodate/Aomori ferry across the Tsugaru Strait as it will be faster most of the time and might be cheaper too
