Haruka (train)

src: www.jrailpass.com

The Haruka (???, Haruka), is a limited express train service, mainly connecting Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport Station in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It also travel to and from Maibara via Kyoto during peak hours. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).

Video Haruka (train)

Operations

There are 60 Haruka train services per day, numbered 1 to 60; odd-numbered trains run south (toward the airport) and even-numbered trains run north (away from the airport). They operate every half hour during the daytime and early evening. The typical travel time between Kyoto Station and the airport is 75 minutes for southbound trains and 73 minutes for northbound trains.

Two morning peak hour Haruka trains run from Maibara to the airport, and one morning peak hour trip from Kusatsu. Two evening peak hour Haruka trains run from the airport to Maibara.

Maps Haruka (train)

Station stops

The Haruka primarily operates between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station, with stops at Shin-?saka Station and Tenn?ji Station in Osaka City. Some trains make additional stops (stations in italics in list below).

The train travels over the Umeda Freight Line which bypasses Osaka Station when it runs from the T?kaid? Main Line to Osaka Loop Line and vice versa. Therefore, it does not stop at Osaka Station.

src: kyotoadvice.info

Rolling stock

Haruka services are operated by a dedicated fleet of 281 series EMUs formed in 6- or 9-car formations. Each formation includes one Green (first class) car (as car No. 1).

Formations

6-car formations

6-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Maibara/Kyoto end.

All cars are no-smoking.

9-car formations

9-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Kyoto end.

All cars are no-smoking.

src: c2.staticflickr.com

Ticketing

As a limited express service, Haruka travel requires both a fare ticket (???, j?shaken) and a limited express ticket (???, tokky?ken) - see train tickets in Japan. The ICOCA card can be used as a fare ticket (for passing the ticket gate) for non-reserved travel, with the limited express ticket purchased from the conductor on board the train. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Haruka services free of charge.

A free public Wi-Fi service is provided in the train.

src: cdn.deepjapan.org

History

The Haruka service was inaugurated on 4 September 1994 using 3-car 281 series EMUs.

6-car 281 series sets were introduced from 2 April 1995, and 9-car (6+3-car) formations were introduced from 14 July 1995.

Non-reserved cars were introduced from 1 December 1998.

The smoking areas were abolished from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision.

src: c8.alamy.com

References

src: 4.bp.blogspot.com

External links

• Limited Express Haruka 281 series (in Japanese)
• Haruka train service timetable, PDF

Source of article : Wikipedia