By MAMI OKADA/ Staff Writer
September 11, 2022 at 18:06 JST
SAGA--Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) pulled out all the stops to ensure members of the media had a smooth ride ahead of the official opening late this month of the Nishi-Kyushu route on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line.
The 66-kilometer route connects Nagasaki Station in Nagasaki Prefecture and Takeo-Onsen Station in Takeo, Saga Prefecture. It will go into operation on Sept. 23.
During the Sept. 10 test ride, reporters left Saga Station on a limited express train named Relay Kamome at 10 a.m. to switch to Kamome, a N700S series bullet train, which waited at the other side of the same platform at Takeo-Onsen Station.
As there is no Shinkansen train service between Saga Station and Takeo-Onsen Station, travelers will have to rely on a limited express service on the conventional line to reach Takeo-Onsen Station.
Switching trains was smooth as it took only 30 seconds or so to cross the 10-meter-wide platform to board the Kamome bullet train.
JR Kyushu factors in three minutes to change trains at the station.
After departing from Takeo-Onsen Station, the Kamome took around 30 minutes to reach the final destination, Nagasaki Station, by way of Ureshino Onsen Station in Saga Prefecture and Shin-Omura and Isahaya stations in Nagasaki Prefecture.
As 60 percent of the route goes through tunnels, dominant views from the train are either the interior of tunnels or noise insulating walls.
But when the train comes close to Shin-Omura Station, riders can glimpse Omura Bay.
The Kamome train offers a comfortable ride as it is designed to barely vibrate. Each seat comes with an electric outlet. The seating face reclines together as the backseat is reclined. These features are meant to accommodate both leisure and business travelers.
After the official launch of the service, bullet trains will make 44 runs together on this route each day.
The new Shinkansen route will shave 30 minutes off the trip between Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture and Nagasaki Station, completing the journey in 80 minutes or so.
The new route will cost 5,520 yen ($39) for a non-reserved seat, up 460 yen from the service on the limited express line.
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A Kamome bullet train on the Nishi-Kyushu route of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line at Takeo Onsen Station in Saga Prefecture on Sept. 10. The limited express train Relay Kamome is seen on the other side of the platform. (Jun Kaneko)
