Rakuraku Harima

The Rakuraku Harima (らくラクはりま) is a Commuter Limited Express train operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka Station and Himeji Station, on the JR Kobe Line (Tōkaidō Main Line, San'yō Main Line).[1][2][3]

Rakuraku Harima
Rakuraku Harima's rolling stock, the 289 series
Overview
Service typeCommuter Limited Express
StatusIn service
LocaleOsaka and Hyogo, Japan
First service18 March 2019
Current operator(s)West Japan Railway Company (JR West)
Route
StartOsaka
EndHimeji
Distance travelled87.9 km
Line(s) usedJR Kobe Line (Tōkaidō Main Line, San'yō Main Line)
On-board services
Class(es)Standard class, Green Car
Seating arrangementsTransverse
Other facilitiesSockets available for certain seats
Technical
Rolling stock289 series EMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead

Summary

This Commuter Limited Express train operates during weekday mornings and evenings.[3] With the introduction of this train, Limited Express trains between 6pm and 8pm from Osaka to Himeji now operate at 1 hour intervals.[4] The total travel time of the Rakuraku Harima is about an hour, which is 5 to 10 minutes faster than a Special Rapid train.[5] J-WEST Card holders can enjoy a discount on the Limited Express charge with the "J-WEST Ticketless" service.[3][6]

As a Limited Express train, it is similar to the Biwako Express and the Haruka, that they all operate within JR West's "Urban Network" metropolitan area. It is also the first Limited Express train to be introduced to the Kinki Region in 16 years, ever since the debut of the Biwako Express in 2003.[5]

Service pattern

The train operates only on weekdays. One eastbound train from Himeji to Osaka is operated in the morning rush hours, and one westbound train from Osaka to Himeji is operated in the evening rush hours.[1][2]

Stations served

Osaka ー Sannomiya ー Kōbe ー Akashi ー Nishi-Akashi ー Kakogawa ー Himeji[1][2][3]

  • It shares the same stops with the Special Rapid service, minus Amagasaki and Ashiya.
  • The Hamakaze No. 5 and the Super Hakuto No. 13, which run ahead and behind the evening Rakuraku Harima respectively, now adapt the same stopping pattern as the Rakuraku Harima.[3]

Rolling stock
  • 289 series 6-car sets (based in the Suita Depot).[1][3]
  • Car 1 is at the Himeji-end, while Car 6 is at the Osaka-end.
  • Sockets are located at the front and rear end of each car, and all seats in the green car.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Accommodation Green Reserved Non-Reserved Non-Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
Note Women only Barrier-Free

History
  • 30 November 2018: Officially announces that services will begin in Spring 2019, along with daily operation frequency, stations served, rolling stock and limited express charge[1]
  • 14 December 2018: Officially announces date of first service and its timetables[2][3]
  • 18 March 2019: Operation commences[2][3]
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References

This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.

  1. "「らくラク」通勤で、毎日に充実したひとときを。JR神戸線に通勤特急がデビューします!" (Press release). 西日本旅客鉄道. 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  2. "2019年春ダイヤ改正（3月16日【土曜日】）" (PDF). 西日本旅客鉄道. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  3. "2019年3月16日にダイヤ改正を実施します" (PDF). 西日本旅客鉄道 近畿統括本部. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  4. "JR西日本、新快速Aシート＆「らくラクはりま」で座席サービス充実". マイナビニュース. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  5. "ＪＲ神戸線に通勤特急「らくラクはりま」　来春デビュー". 朝日新聞デジタル. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  6. "通勤特急「らくラクはりま」JR神戸線に2019年春デビュー　JR西日本". 乗りものニュース. 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
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