Biwako Express

The Biwako Express (通勤特急びわこエクスプレス, Tsūkin Tokkyū 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]

Biwako Express
Overview
Service typeCommuter Limited Express
StatusOperational
PredecessorBiwako Liner
First service2 June 2003
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
StartOsaka
EndKusatsu / 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

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]

  • A 683-4000 series EMU
  • A KiHa 189 series DMU

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.123456789
Accommodation GreenReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reserved

Biwako Express 2

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

Car No.123
Accommodation Non-reservedNon-reservedReserved
Facilities   Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • All cars are standard class and no-smoking.[2]
  • Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.[2]

History

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

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

See also

References
  1. 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. 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.
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