Biwako Express
Overview
Service typeCommuter Limited Express
StatusOperational
PredecessorBiwako Liner
First service2 June 2003
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiOsaka
Kusatsu / Maibara
Distance travelled110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey timeapprox. 1 hr 25 mins
Service frequency1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Ogaki
Line(s) usedTokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)Ordinary + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stock683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)JR West

The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス, Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a commuter limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.[1]

Service pattern

As of April 2016, one weekday morning service (Biwako Express 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Biwako Express 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Kusatsu and Maibara respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.[2]

Rolling stock

Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]

Formations

Biwako Express 1 and 4

Biwako Express 1 and 4 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Accommodation Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

Biwako Express 2

Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3
Accommodation Reserved Reserved Reserved
Facilities     Wheelchair-accessible toilet

History

The Biwako Express service was introduced from 2 June 2003.[3]

The service was made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[4]

The service start calling at Minami-Kusatsu Station,[5] all seats become reserved[6] from 13 March 2021.

Future plans

Effective the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, all services are to be renamed to Rakuraku Biwako.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
  3. ^ 特急｢びわこエクスプレス」の運転、 特急｢はるか｣の米原延長運転の開始 [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  4. ^ 在来線特急列車などの全席禁煙化ならびに在来線ホームの禁煙化の拡大について [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  5. ^ "2021年3月13日にダイヤ改正を実施します" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道近畿統括本部. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  6. ^ "「e5489チケットレスサービス」（在来線）の拡充および特急列車指定席の拡大について" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  7. ^ "JR西日本、近畿エリアを走る通勤特急は「らくラク」シリーズに統一" [JR West Unifies Rakuraku Limited Express Services]. MyNavi Corporation (in Japanese). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.

External links

Named trains of West Japan Railway Company
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