Due to low ridership and very high maintenance costs, including coastal defences between Atsuga and Ōkaribe, JR Hokkaido held several meetings and conferences with the 7 towns along the suspended segment of the line, suggesting that repair of the line be abandoned and replaced by a bus service.
Due to low passenger numbers and high maintenance expenses, including coastal defenses between Atsuga and Ōkaribe, JR Hokkaido organized multiple meetings and conferences with the 7 towns on the suspended section of the line. They considered discontinuing the repair work in favor of a bus service.