Rapi:t

Rapi:t (ラピート, rapiito, stylized as rapiːt) is a limited express train service between Kansai International Airport and Namba Station in Osaka, Japan. It is operated by Nankai Electric Railway, and the train service uses the Nankai Main Line and the Airport Line. The name comes from the German word meaning rapid, pronounced [ʁaˈpiːt].

Rapi:t
A Nankai 50000 series Rapi:t train in October 2017
Overview
Service typeAirport rail link
(Limited express)
StatusOperating
LocaleOsaka Prefecture, Japan
First service4 September 1994
Current operator(s)Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Route
StartNamba
Stops4 (α services for Airport)
6 (β services)
EndKansai Airport
Line(s) usedNankai Main Line, Airport Line
Technical
Rolling stock50000 series EMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC, overhead line
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
A Rapi:t train repainted in a red Gundam Neo Zeon livery to mark the 20th anniversary

The futuristic and retro-style six-car Rapi:t trainsets, officially designated as the Nankai 50000 series, were designed by architect Wakabayashi Hiroyuki and won the Blue Ribbon Prize in 1995, one year after entering service.. Though the Rapi:t is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel from the airport to downtown Osaka, these trains are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Passengers travelling with a Japan Rail Pass should take either the Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka or the Kansai Airport Rapid Service to Tennoji Station and transfer to the Yamatoji Line to JR Namba Station.[1]

Station stops

There are two classes of Rapi:t service. Rapi:t β (beta) takes 37 minutes from Namba to Kansai Airport, stopping at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Sakai, Kishiwada, Izumisano, and Rinkū Town. Rapi:t α (alpha) takes 34 minutes, stopping at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Izumisano, and Rinku Town. All seats are reserved.

4 α trains depart Namba for Kansai Airport on weekday mornings (6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00), and 6 depart Kansai Airport for Namba from 20:00 (2 per hour). β trains depart Namba for Kansai Airport every day, 1 per hour from 7:00 until 10:00 and 2 per hour from 10:00, and 1 or 2 depart Kansai Airport for Namba by 20:00.

History

The Rapi:t service was inaugurated on 4 September 1994 using 6-car Nankai 50000 series EMUs.

Rapi:t services were suspended on 4 September 2018 due to the effects of Typhoon Jebi causing damage to the airport and the Sky Gate Bridge R being damaged by an empty fuel tanker. Services to the airport were completely restored on 18 September 2018.

See also
  • Haruka, limited-express service operated by JR West to Kansai Airport

References
  1. "TrainReview's Guide to the Nankai Railway's Rap:t Trains". TrainReview.


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