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Aichi Loop Line
Railway line in Aichi prefecture, Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Aichi Loop Line (愛知環状鉄道線, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō-sen; "Aichi Loop Railway Line") is a Japanese railway line connecting Okazaki Station in Okazaki and Kōzōji Station in Kasugai. It is the sole line operated by Aichi Loop Railway (愛知環状鉄道, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō). The line and operating company are both abbreviated as Aikan (愛環). Despite its name, the line is a north–south line situated east of Nagoya and not a true loop; however, it can be said to form a loop with the JR Tokaido Line and Chuo Line serving as other portions of the circle.
The Aichi Loop Railway is a third-sector company, with shares held by public sector such as Aichi Prefecture, the city of Toyota, and also by private companies. Unlike typical third-sector lines in Japan, the Aichi Loop Line makes a profit, as it functions as commuter rail for nearby Toyota Motor factories and offices.
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History
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The line's construction was proposed by the amended Railway Construction Act on 30 March 1927. The line was described as a railway line starting from Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, passing through Koromo and terminating at Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture.[1] The Ministry of Railways considered establishing bus routes before constructing railway lines for some of the proposed lines that were considered hard to sustain. Out of the seven candidates, this route was selected as the first bus route of this plan. The bus route opened as the Okata Line (岡多線) on 20 December 1930 with seven buses and ten trucks. This bus line has since been abolished in 2002.[2]
The first section of the line between Okazaki and Kitano-Masuzuka opened in 1970, as a railway line of the Japanese National Railways (JNR). The section between Kitano-Masuzuka and Shin-Toyota was extended and the whole line started a passenger service in 1976. Another part of the line, between Setoshi and Kōzōji, was originally part of a freight line planned as the JNR Seto Line. The line did not do well under JNR ownership, and it was later designated for closure.[3]
The newly founded third-sector Aichi Loop Line Company took over the line, now renamed to the Aichi Loop Line, from Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), with services starting on 31 January 1988. Beginning on 1 October 2005, through service began with the JR Chuo Main Line to Nagoya Station.[4][3]
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Network and operations
Three to five trains run in each direction per hour, while one or two train run in each direction instead during the first and last hours of service. Trains in two-car or four-car formations are operated. Some services operate with reduced cars, or are not operated at all during weekends.[5]
The line does not form a loop line by itself, although it connects to the Chūō Main Line or the Tōkaidō Main Line on each side of the terminus. Toyota factories and offices, along with various schools, are located alongside the line,[6] and the line transports commuters to those locations, allowing it to turn a profit despite its status as a former JNR-owned third-sector company.[7]
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Infrastructure
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Station list
Rolling stock
Services are operated by a fleet of 2-car 2000 series EMUs.[8]
See also
- List of railway lines in Japan
- Tōkai Transport Service Jōhoku Line
- Musashino Line, semi-closed outer loop around Tokyo
- Osaka Higashi Line
References
External links
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