JR Hokkaido will implement a timetable revision on March 16.
The H100 series will be introduced to replace all Kiha40 and 54 series on the Sekihoku Line between Kamikawa and Abashiri stations and the Senmo Line between Kushiro and Abashiri stations. This change will reduce travel time by up to 6 minutes between Rubeshibe and Kitami stations and by up to 9 minutes between Kitami and Abashiri stations. In addition, the special rapid service ‘Kitami’ will be increased from a single car to a two-car train formation. The H100 series will also be introduced on the Hakodate Line between Sapporo and Asahikawa stations, replacing three Kiha40 trains.
On the Hakodate Line section between Iwamizawa and Asahikawa stations, some 721 series and regular railcars will be replaced by the 737 series and H100 series, and one-man operation will be initiated between Iwamizawa and Takikawa stations.
The transport system on the Nemuro Line between Takikawa and Higashi-Shikagoe stations will be revised. Takikawa to Furano stations and Furano to Higashi-Shikagoe stations will start back-and-forth operation. Additionally, all three rapid trains, including the ‘Karikachi’, will be converted to local trains. As the segment between Furano and Higashi-Shikagoe stations is expected to be discontinued on April 1, 2024, and an increase in passengers is anticipated, an additional round-trip service will be added during the day.
