JR Hokkaido will introduce the new 739-3000 series AC commuter trains to replace the 721 series trains currently used on the Rapid Airport service. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
A total of 36 cars will be introduced in six 6-car trainsets. They will operate on the Hakodate Main Line (between Otaru and Iwamizawa stations), the Chitose Line, the Gakuentoshi Line, and the Muroran Main Line (between Tomakomai and Numanohata stations). They will also be used on the Rapid Airport service between Otaru, Sapporo, and New Chitose Airport Station.
The cars will feature aluminum double-skin bodies, with steel used for the front ends, and will have a design maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Like the 733 series, they will have high driver’s cabs. As airport-access trains, their front ends will feature an accent inspired by aircraft wings, or winglets.
Inside the cars, wheelchair spaces will be made more clearly identifiable through different floor colors, and folding auxiliary seats for accompanying passengers will be installed. Changes to the equipment layout will create additional space, allowing for more seats. The u Seat reserved seating area in Car 4 will feature a revised seat design with increased legroom. New onboard passenger information displays, with three locations per car, and onboard security cameras will also be installed.
Total capacity will be 793 passengers, including 287 seats, an increase from the 721-3000 series’ capacity of 527 passengers, including 279 seats. The number of wheelchair spaces will increase from two to six. There will be two restrooms. Seating will be arranged as longitudinal bench seating, except in Car 4, which will have reversible cross seats, replacing the 721 series’ reversible cross-seat arrangement.
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