Haruka (train)

The is a limited express passenger train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) mainly between Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Dubbed as the ''Kansai Airport Limited Express'' (関空特急) by JR West, it is the fastest train service connecting the airport with downtown Osaka and Kyoto, and also travels to and from via Kyoto during peak hours. As ''Haruka'' trains travel over the Umeda Freight Line, they do not serve Osaka Station. A change of trains is required at either or .

Operations

There are a total of 30 daily return workings per direction (30 to the airport, 30 from the airport), with services operating every half an hour through most of the day. A typical travel time between Kyoto Station and the airport takes 1 hour 20 minutes per way.

Before the discontinuation of services between Maibara and Yasu, two morning rush hour ''Haruka'' trains ran from Maibara to the airport, and one morning rush hour trip from Kusatsu. Two evening rush hour ''Haruka'' trains also ran from the airport to Maibara.

Station stops

The ''Haruka'' primarily operates between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station, with most services stopping only at Shin-Ōsaka Station and Tennōji Station in Osaka City. Some trains make additional stops during the early morning or evening rush hours (stations in italics in list below).JR Timetable March 2012 issue. p. 112

The train travels over the Umeda Freight Line which bypasses Osaka Station when it runs from the Tōkaidō Main Line to Osaka Loop Line and vice versa, leaving no services going to and from Osaka Station.

Rolling stock

* 281 series (since September 1994)
* 271 series (since March 2020)

Formations

6-car formations

6-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Maibara/Kyoto end.JR Timetable March 2012 issue. p. 1006

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.

Ticketing

As a limited express service, the ''Haruka'' requires both a and a – 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. There are no extra charges required for the ''Haruka'' service for foreign passengers traveling with a Japan Rail Pass.

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

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 18 March 2007 timetable revision.

''Haruka'' 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 were restored on 8 September 2018, but could only go as far as Hineno Station due to the section leading to the airport being cordoned off for repair works. Through services to the airport were completely restored on 18 September 2018.

From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020, new 271 series trains were introduced on these services, operating coupled with the existing 281 series sets. From the same date, all ''Haruka'' services were formed as nine cars, increasing passenger capacity between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto.

All trains currently run in a special "Hello Kitty"-themed wrapping since 29 January 2019.

''Haruka'' services were reduced since September 2020 due to low passenger demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, only operating during morning and evening commuter hours. Services have since been gradually restored. On 1 July 2022, about half of the daytime ''Haruka'' services returned to service, with the remaining services to be reinstated on 1 November 2022 to coincide with the reopening of Japan's borders.

2023 is the expected opening of new underground platforms at Osaka Station set aside for ''Haruka'' services. Trains will be rerouted from the Umeda freight line on 13 February 2023 while the new platforms are expected to open for service a month later on 13 March 2023.

File:JRWest281 HelloKittyHaruka"Butterfly".jpg, 281 series Hello-Kitty train Butterfly set in September 2019
File:JRWest281 HelloKittyHaruka"Ori-Tsuru".jpg, 281 series Hello-Kitty train Ori-Tsuru set in August 2019
File:JRWest281 HelloKittyHaruka"Kanzashi".jpg, 281 series Hello-Kitty train Kanzashi set in August 2019
File:JRW series271-4 Hanwa Haruka.jpg, 271 series Hello-Kitty train in March 2020
File:JRW series271 interior.jpg, 271 series Hello-Kitty train interior

References

External links

Official website
(in English)

''Haruka'' train service timetable
PDF

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Named passenger trains of Japan
Airport rail links in Japan
Rail transport in Osaka Prefecture
West Japan Railway Company
Railway services introduced in 1994
1994 establishments in Japan