Hakata-Minami Line
The Hakata-Minami Line (博多南線, Hakataminami-sen) is an 8.5 km (5.3 mi) long railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Hakata-Minami Station in Kasuga. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).[1]
Hakata-Minami Line | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Native name | 博多南線 |
Owner | JR West |
Locale | Fukuoka City |
Termini | |
Stations | 2 |
Color on map | (#0073bc) |
Service | |
Type | Shinkansen |
System | Shinkansen |
Services | Kodama |
Operator(s) | JR West |
Depot(s) | Hakata Shinkansen Depot |
Rolling stock | 500-7000 series, 700-7000 series, N700-7000/8000 series |
History | |
Opened | April 1, 1990 |
Technical | |
Line length | 8.5 km (5.3 mi) |
Number of tracks | Double-track |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Electrification | 25 kV 60 Hz AC (overhead line) |
Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
Signalling | Cab signalling |
Train protection system | ATC-NS |
Service
Although the line uses Shinkansen equipment, trains are officially designated as limited express trains.[2] In practice, however, most services are extensions of San'yō Shinkansen Kodama services. The Kyushu Shinkansen, opened on 12 March 2011, shares part of the route.
The trip from Hakata to Hakata-Minami takes ten minutes and costs ¥300.
- 100 yen limited express supplementary ticket for travel from Hakata to Hakata Minami
Rolling stock
- 500-7000 series 8-car sets
- 700-7000 series 8-car Rail Star sets
- N700-7000/8000 series 8-car sets
History
The line was originally opened in March 1975 to transport San'yō Shinkansen trains from the Hakata terminal to Hakata Depot in Kasuga. At that time, Kasuga was a rural region and did not merit a railway station of its own. By the late 1980s, however, the area had become a sprawling suburb of Fukuoka. JR decided to build a station adjacent to the depot, and inaugurated service on 1 April 1990 with 0 Series Shinkansen trains.[1]
See also
- Gala-Yuzawa Line, another Shinkansen-style non-Shinkansen line
References
- "新幹線なのに在来線" [Shinkansen Lines that are Conventional Lines]. Japan Railfan Magazine. No. 467. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. March 2000. p. 67.
- "「安く乗れる新幹線」増えるか 新潟空港のアクセス鉄道、実現への道のり" [Will the number of "Bullet trains you can ride cheaper" increase?]. trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.