Biwako Express
| 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 25 mins |
| Service frequency | 1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Ogaki |
| 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 | 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 |
The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス, 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.
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.
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.
-
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.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
Biwako Express 2
Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
| Facilities | Wheelchair-accessible toilet |
- All cars are standard class and no-smoking.
- Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.
History
The Biwako Express service was introduced from 2 June 2003.
The service was made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.
The service start calling at Minami-Kusatsu Station, all seats become reserved from 13 March 2021.