In the 1970's and later, the demand for long-distance transportation by railway has been further dropped due to increase in transportation by car and air, which was enhanced by cheaper air fares, development of roads including expressway construction using the road-related tax revenue system, and price-reduction in oil after the "oil shock."
昭和40年代後半（1970年代）以降は航空運賃の低廉化、道路特定財源制度等を利用して日本の高速道路建設等の道路整備、オイルショック後の石油の低価格化による自動車・航空機の増加で、鉄道による長距離輸送の需要減が進んだ。