Japan - [WTM] Railway & Travel News

Changed the boundary between JR Shikoku and Asa Seaside Railway from Kaifu Station to Awa-Kainan Station

November 2, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

On Sunday, November 1, 2020, JR Shikoku and Asa Seaside Railway changed the boundary station between the two companies from Kaifu Station (Tokushima) to Awa-Kainan Station (Tokushima). As a result, the section between Kaifu Station and Awa-Kainan Station on the JR Mugi Line has been incorporated into the Asa-to Line of Asa Seaside Railway. That is due to the fact that the Asa Seaside Railway, which operates between Kaifu Station and Kannoura Station (Kochi), plans to introduce a DMV (Dual Mode Vehicle) by March 2021. The DMV is the world’s first transportation system equipped with both rubber tires and railroad bogies, capable of running on both railroads and roads. The…

Resumes operation for the first time in 4 months between Yatsushiro and Sashiki on the Hisatsu Orange Railway

November 2, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Hisatsu Orange Railway resumed train operation on Sunday, November 1, 2020 between Yatsushiro Station (Kumamoto) and Sashiki Station (Kumamoto), which had been disrupted due to the effects of the heavy rain in July 2020. This line suffered a lot of damage such as sediment inflow due to the heavy rain disaster, and although some sections has been disrupted, the operation of the all line was restarted for the first time in about 4 months. They are operating on regular timetables, including not only local trains but also the sightseeing train “Orange Shokudo” where you can enjoy various meals on board.

Resumes operation for the first time in a year between Tomino and Marumori on the Abukuma Kyuko Line

November 2, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Abukuma Kyuko resumed operation on Saturday, October 31, 2020 between Tomino Station (Fukushima) and Marumori Station (Miyagi) on the Abukuma Kyuko Line, which had been disrupted due to the damage caused by the East Japan typhoon in October 2019. This line has suffered great damage such as sediment flowing into the track, after that, they restarted operation on all lines for the first time in about a year. Even after resuming, they are carrying out a temporary timetable for the time being. The speed will be slow down and the number of trains will be reduced to 3 round trips on weekdays and 7 on weekends between Tomino Station and…

New station “Minami-yorii” opened between Tobu-Takezawa and Obusuma on the Tobu Tojo Line

November 2, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Tobu Railway opened Minami-yorii Station (TJ35, Saitama) on Saturday, October 31, 2020, a new station established between Tobu-Takezawa Station and Obusuma Station on the Tojo Line. The station name clearly indicates the location on the south side of Yorii Town, and the “Minami” is written in hiragana for the sake of familiarity. In addition, because it is adjacent to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s Saitama Factory Yorii Plant, the sub-name <Honda Yorii-mae> is added in anticipation that it will be used by many people involved in Honda from Japan and overseas. For the time being, the fare to Minami-yorii Station is the same as it to the station just before (Tobu…

Pre-operation of “TOKYO BRT” connecting Tokyo downtown and the coastal areas started

October 1, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

The bus rapid transit system “TOKYO BRT” was opened on October 1, 2020 to meet the traffic demand in the Tokyo coastal areas where the population continues to grow. Keisei Bus is in charge of the operation. For the time being, it is positioned as a pre-operation (primary), and the one shuttle launched from Toranomon Hills (connecting to the station of the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) to Harumi BRT Terminal. The new stops are as follows. Toranomon Hills (虎ノ門ヒルズ, B11) Shimbashi (新橋, B01) Kachidoki BRT (勝どきBRT, B02) Harumi BRT Terminal (晴海BRTターミナル, B22) A total of 9 vehicles Tokyo BRT exclusive featuring pastel rainbow colors have been procured. One of them…

Operation resumed on JR Iida Line between Misakubo and Hiraoka (updated on September 28, 2020)

September 28, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Central restarted the train operation on the JR Iida Line (飯田線) between Misakubo Station (水窪, Shizuoka) and Hiraoka Station (平岡, Nagano), which has been disrupted due to the effects of the heavy rain disaster in July, 2020. The train schedule of the Iida Line is as normal. The limited express trains “(Wide View) Inaji” are also on time now.

Operation resumed on Ōigawa Railway Ōigawa Line between Ieyama and Senzu (updated on August 31, 2020)

September 12, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Ōigawa Railway (大井川鐵道) restarted local train operation of Ōigawa Line (大井川本線) on Friday, August 28, 2020 between Ieyama Station (家山, Shizuoka) and Senzu Station (千頭, Shizuoka), which has been disrupted because the Oigawa revetment was damaged due to the effects of the continuous heavy rain. It should be noted that the section between Shimoizumi Station and Tanokuchi Station was temporarily restored, where the revetment damage occurred, so substitute bus operation may be resumed depending on the river conditions of the Oigawa River. Please check yourself the official website by Oigawa Railway for the operating status of “Thomas the Tank Engine” and Steam Locomotives “Kawaneji”.

Disrupted operation on partial sections of JR Kyūdai Line and Hisatsu Line (updated on August 31, 2020)

August 31, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Kyushu is disrupting operation of the following sections due to the effects of the heavy rain disaster in July, 2020. JR Kyūdai Line (久大本線): between Bungo-Mori Station (豊後森, Ōita) and Shōnai Station (庄内, Ōita) It is undecided when the train operation is resumed. The substitute bus transportation is available between Bungo-Mori Station and Yufuin Station (由布院, Oita) / between Yufuin Station and Shōnai Station. JR Hisatsu Line (肥薩線): between Yatsushiro Station (八代, Kumamoto) and Yoshimatsu Station (吉松, Kagoshima) It is undecided when the train operation is resumed. * The train operation was restarted on Saturday, August 29, 2020 between Shōnai Station and Mukainoharu Station (向之原, Ōita).

Resumed operation of JR Geibi Line between Miyoshi and Shimo-fukawa (updated on August 15, 2020)

August 15, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West restarted train operation of Geibi Line (芸備線) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 between Miyoshi Station (三次, Hiroshima) and Shimo-fukawa Station (下深川,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted due to the effects of the heavy rain disaster in July, 2020. In addition, the train operation of JR Fukuen Line (福塩線) was restarted on Thursday, August 13, 2020 between Fuchū Station (府中, Hiroshima) and Shiomachi Station (塩町,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted by the same reason.

Resumed operation of JR Hōhi Line between Higo-ōzu and Aso after 4 years and 4 months

August 8, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Hōhi Line (豊肥本線) was resumed train operation on Saturday, August 8, 2020 between Higo-ōzu Station (肥後大津, Kumamoto) and Aso Station (阿蘇, Kumamoto), which has been disrupted due to the disaster of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. As a result, Hōhi Line resumed operation on all lines between Kumamoto and Ōita for the first time in about 4 years and 4 months from April 2016.