By AYUMI SUGIYAMA/ Staff Writer
June 30, 2023 at 19:02 JST
A Skyline train, which will begin operations in Honolulu on July 1 (Provided by Hitachi Ltd.)
The new rail system Skyline in Honolulu, which will be operated by a subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., will welcome its first passengers aboard on July 1.
Skyline, which spans around 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) and will connect the airport and downtown area, is scheduled to be fully operable in March 2031, according to Hitachi.
The rail system will be fully automated, with the expectation of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and helping to better care for the natural environment on Oahu island.
Alistair Dormer, vice president of Hitachi, said this is “the largest infrastructure project in the history of Honolulu.”
On July 1, the train will begin operations along its first segment, which connects nine stations and stretches 17.7 km.
The train car is designed to be spacious, offering room for bicycles, baby strollers and luggage. Each train can accommodate up to 800 passengers.
The subsidiary, Hitachi Rail Ltd., is designing and manufacturing the cars, railway signaling system and platform screen doors, as well as operating and maintaining the railway system.
Once the entire section opens, the railway system is estimated to reduce daily car trips by up to 40,000, according to Hitachi Rail.
The railway system is expected to reduce CO2 emissions while alleviating traffic congestion.
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