Utsunomiya Light Rail

The project to develop a light rail line in Utsunomiya was conceived because of the need to alleviate serious traffic congestion. Since the 1960s, when Japan's economy grew dramatically (Japanese economic miracle), large industrial areas such as Hiraide Industrial Park and Kiyohara Industrial Park were developed in the eastern part of Utsunomiya City, and as many as 30,000 employees came to work there. However, these industrial parks were far from the center of Utsunomiya, and it was necessary to cross the Kinugawa River to access them, so traffic congestion became serious around the limited bridges that crossed the Kinugawa River due to passenger cars driven by commuters and trucks transporting raw materials and products. but it was not realized. In 1993, the then governor of Tochigi Prefecture came up with the "New Transportation System Concept" to develop a new transportation system connecting Utsunomiya and industrial areas, and serious consideration began for the first time. This date was later further postponed to 26 August 2023. On 3 April 2023, ten round trips a day of driver proficiency training using the new light rail vehicles began. The line opened on 26 August 2023. Utsunomiya became the first city in Japan to have a new tram system in 75 years after Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture. On 13 September 2024, just over a year after opening, the line reached a milestone of 5 million passengers, 20% more than forecast. == Project overview ==

Compact city project Many regional cities in Japan are suffering from population decline and aging, and Utsunomiya City is no different. Utsunomiya City has been undergoing disorderly development for many years, and urban functions have been dispersed, so it is expected that maintaining urban functions will become difficult as the population decline and aging progresses. To address this issue, Utsunomiya City is promoting the creation of a "Network-based compact city"(NCC) The Utsunomiya Light Rail serves as a public transportation axis that runs through Utsunomiya City from east to west, connecting regions and functioning as the center of the public transportation network, playing an important role in the development of a compact city. Half of the construction cost is subsidized by the federal government, with the local government bearing the remaining half. On the wall of each stop, "individualized design" is displayed, which is based on the total design and expresses the local climate and culture with the participation of local residents. ==Services==

Almost all trains are trains that stop at all stations. On weekdays, trains are operated at intervals of 6 to 8 minutes during rush hours (approximately from 6 to 9 and from 5 to 7 pm on weekdays), and at intervals of 12 minutes during other off-peak hours (except during the above-mentioned times on weekdays and holidays). The service is available from 4:00 to 24:00 on weekdays and from 5:00 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. The train schedule is aligned with that of the Tōhoku Shinkansen, which arrives at and departs from Utsunomiya Station, and connects with the first train on the same line bound for Tokyo Station and the last train arriving at Utsunomiya Station.The time required from the Utsunomiya Station East, the starting point of the train, to the Haga Takanezawa Industrial Park, the ending point, is approximately 44 minutes on weekday schedules and 46 minutes on holiday schedules. On weekdays, trains are available in addition to the local train for the Haga Takanezawa Industrial Park direction only. Express trains stop at Utsunomiya Station East, Utsunomiya University Yoto Campus, Hiraishi, Seiryo High School, and each station from Seiryo High School to Haga and Takanezawa Industrial Park, while other stations are not served. Fares are based on distance and range from 150 yen to 400 yen for adults one-way. Feeder buses connect the rail line to other areas from stops at Utsunomiya Station East, Utsunomiya University Yoto Campus, Kiyohara District Civic Center, and Haga Industrial Park Management Center. ==Infrastructure==

Rolling stock The line is served by the , branded LIGHTLINE. Niigata Transys built and delivered 17 sets of three-section low-floor light rail vehicles. The train was awarded the Laurel Prize by the Japan Railfan Club in 2024. New sets of HU300 series are planned to be introduced in the future, although cost hikes have affected the plan. Stations • All stations are located in Tochigi Prefecture. • Local services stop at all stations. • Express services stop at stations marked ●, and pass stations marked ↓. Future extensions Utsunomiya city has decided to extend the line 5 km westward from its current starting point at Utsunomiya Station East to the () in the 2030s. The extension is planned to run via Ō-dōri avenue through Tōbu-Utsunomiya Station and Sakura-dōri-Jūmonji intersection () on National Route 119. It is also envisioned to extend the line further west from the Tochigi Education Center to the vicinity of the Ōya sightseeing area, a major tourist attraction in Utsunomiya. Planned stations All station names are tentative as of February 2024. ==See also==