Rakuraku_Biwako
Rakuraku Biwako
Japanese train service
The Rakuraku Biwako (らくラクびわこ, Rakuraku Biwako) 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]
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Commuter Limited Express |
| Status | Operational |
| Predecessor | Biwako Liner |
| First service | 2 June 2003 |
| Current operator(s) | JR West |
| Route | |
| Termini | Osaka Kusatsu / Maibara |
| Distance travelled | 110.5 km (68.7 mi) |
| Average journey time | approx. 1 hr 28 mins (Ōsaka–Maibara) |
| Service frequency | 1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Kusatsu |
| Line(s) used | Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line) |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Ordinary + Green |
| Disabled access | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | None |
| Catering facilities | None |
| Observation facilities | None |
| Entertainment facilities | None |
| Other facilities | Toilets |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 681 series EMUs, 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 (81 mph) |
| Track owner(s) | JR West |
As of March 2024[update], one weekday morning service (Rakuraku Biwako 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Rakuraku Biwako 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Maibara and Kusatsu respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 28 minutes.[2]
- 681 series or 683 series 6-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
Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2
Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[3]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
- Trains run as 9-car formations on certain days.[3]
Rakuraku Biwako 4
Rakuraku Biwako 4 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[4]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
| Facilities | Wheelchair-accessible toilet |
The Biwako Express service was introduced from 2 June 2003.[5]
The service was made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[6]
The service started calling at Minami-Kusatsu Station,[7] and all seats become reserved[8] from 13 March 2021.
Effective the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, all services were renamed to Rakuraku Biwako. At the same time, 9-car 683 series sets operated on this service were replaced with 6-car 681 or 683 series sets.[9]
- 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.
- "より便利になる通勤特急を「らくラク～」シリーズに統一します" [Unification of the more convenient commuter express trains into the "Rakuraku" series.] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company (in Japanese). Japan. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- "らくラクびわこ (車両案内)". jr.odekake.net (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
- 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.
- 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.
- "2021年3月13日にダイヤ改正を実施します" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道近畿統括本部. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- "「e5489チケットレスサービス」（在来線）の拡充および特急列車指定席の拡大について" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- "JR西日本、近畿エリアを走る通勤特急は「らくラク」シリーズに統一" [JR West Unifies Rakuraku Limited Express Services]. MyNavi Corporation (in Japanese). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- JR West 683 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)
- JR West KiHa 189 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)