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 type	Commuter Limited Express
Status	Operational
Predecessor	Biwako Liner
First service	2 June 2003
Current operator(s)	JR West
Route
Start	Osaka
End	Kusatsu/Maibara
Distance travelled	110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey time	approx. 1 hr 25 mins
Line(s) used	Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)	Ordinary + Green
Catering facilities	None
Technical
Rolling stock	683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed	130 km/h (80 mph)

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

• 683 series 9-car EMU sets
• KiHa 189 series 3-car DMU (since March 2014)

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.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Accommodation	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-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	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved
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 services were introduced from 2 June 2003.[3]

The services were made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[4]

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

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.

External links

• JR West 683 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)
• JR West KiHa 189 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)