Hakata-Minami Line

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gaugeElectrification25 kV 60 Hz AC (overhead line)Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)SignallingCab signallingTrain protection systemATC-NS

The Hakata-Minami Line (博多南線, Hakataminami-sen) is an 8.5 km (5.3 mi) long railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Hakata-Minami Station in Kasuga. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).^[1]

Service

Although the line uses Shinkansen equipment, trains are officially designated as limited express trains.^[2] In practice, however, most services are extensions of San'yō Shinkansen Kodama services. The Kyushu Shinkansen, opened on 12 March 2011, shares part of the route.

The trip from Hakata to Hakata-Minami takes ten minutes and costs ¥300.

• 
  100 yen limited express supplementary ticket for travel from Hakata to Hakata Minami

Rolling stock

• 500-7000 series 8-car sets
• 700-7000 series 8-car Rail Star sets
• N700-7000/8000 series 8-car sets

History

The line was originally opened in March 1975 to transport San'yō Shinkansen trains from the Hakata terminal to Hakata Depot in Kasuga. At that time, Kasuga was a rural region and did not merit a railway station of its own. By the late 1980s, however, the area had become a sprawling suburb of Fukuoka. JR decided to build a station adjacent to the depot, and inaugurated service on 1 April 1990 with 0 Series Shinkansen trains.^[1]

See also

• Gala-Yuzawa Line, other section of the Shinkansen network classed as a conventional line

References