The number of passengers expected to use Sendai Municipal Subway Tozai Line was revised to be 30% less than initial estimation. The monitoring comittee accepted it.

Sendai city government downward revised the estimated demands of Tozai Line(Total length:13.5km), which is scheduled to open by 2015. It is because decreasing population was also considered. Though the government explains restructure will maintain cost-efficiency of the line, necessity of the enterprise will be disputed more severely in the future.

On August 9th, the monitoring comittee for reviewing public enterprises estimated the number of passengers, 80 thousands equals 33% less than 119 thousands estimated in 2003. 12 stations out of 13 stations will have less passengers.

The reviewing of public enterprises to check efficiency and transparency was scheduled to be carried out in 2011, but was postponed because of Tohoku Earthquake.

http://www.asahi.com/travel/rail/news/TKY201208090604.html

I don't know the geographical situation between Sendai and Arai, the east terminus of the line. If the section has less demands, I propose that extension of JR Senseki Line to Dobutsu Koen, the west terminus of the line, will be able to cover the plan.