THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
February 14, 2022 at 19:04 JST
This type of car is used for Hamakaze limited express trains. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
A passenger smoking in the restroom on a no-smoking train linking Hyogo and Osaka prefectures went into a frenzy and grabbed the conductor by the collar after being told to put out the cigarette on Feb. 13.
The conductor contacted a division of the Fukuchiyama branch office of West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) to seek instructions. The smoker was handed over to officers from the Fukusaki Police Station at Teramae Station in Kamikawa, Hyogo Prefecture, where the train was scheduled to stop.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on the six-car Hamakaze No. 6 limited express train carrying about 150 passengers on the JR Bantan Line.
The train had left Kasumi Station in Kami, Hyogo Prefecture, and was bound for Osaka, according to JR West.
The handover of the smoker caused the train to leave Teramae Station around 45 minutes behind schedule. The incident led to delays on six trains on the line, affecting around 450 passengers.
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