Jump to content

Skyrail Midorizaka Line: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 34°25′39″N 132°35′45″E / 34.4275°N 132.5957°E / 34.4275; 132.5957
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
minor wording updates
clean up & closure ;_;
 
Line 32: Line 32:
| speed =
| speed =
| signalling = [[Linear motor]]
| signalling = [[Linear motor]]
| elevation = {{convert|160|m|abbr=on}}
| elevation = {{convert|180|m|abbr=on}}
| map = {{Skyrail Midorizaka Line RDT}}
| map = {{Skyrail Midorizaka Line RDT}}
| map_state = hide
| map_state = hide
| map_name = Route diagram
| map_name = Route diagram
}}
}}
[[Image:Skyrail-car.jpg|thumb|200 series vehicles, which have been operating on the Skyrail since day one. Each vehicle holds up to 25 passengers.]]
[[Image:Skyrail-car.jpg|thumb|200 series vehicles, which operated on Skyrail's route since day one. Each vehicle holds up to 25 passengers.]]
The {{nihongo|'''Skyrail Midorizaka Line'''|スカイレールみどり坂線|Sukairēru Midorizaka-sen}} is a [[monorail]]/[[people mover]] line operated by '''Skyrail Service'''. The line runs between Midoriguchi and Midori-Chūō, all within the [[new town]] called ''Skyrail Town Midorizaka'', located in [[Aki-ku, Hiroshima|Aki]], [[Hiroshima, Hiroshima|Hiroshima]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. The line is officially called {{nihongo|'''Hiroshima Short Distance Transit Seno Line'''|広島短距離交通瀬野線|Hiroshima Tankyori Kōtsū Seno-sen}}.
The {{nihongo|'''Skyrail Midorizaka Line'''|スカイレールみどり坂線|Sukairēru Midorizaka-sen}} was a [[monorail]]/[[people mover]] line operated by '''Skyrail Service'''. The line ran between Midoriguchi and Midori-Chūō, all within the [[new town]] called ''Skyrail Town Midorizaka'', located in [[Aki-ku, Hiroshima|Aki]], [[Hiroshima, Hiroshima|Hiroshima]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. The line was officially called the {{nihongo|'''Hiroshima Short Distance Transit Seno Line'''|広島短距離交通瀬野線|Hiroshima Tankyori Kōtsū Seno-sen}}.


The line is also known as the first Japanese [[public transport]] to introduce a [[smart card]], simply called {{nihongo|IC Commuter Pass|IC定期券|Ai Shī Teikiken}}, which launched along with the line's opening in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-02 |title=進化する自動改札機､世界初の遅延証明も！ |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/57097 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Toyo Keizai]]|language=ja}}</ref>
The line was the first Japanese [[public transport]] system to introduce a [[smart card]], simply called {{nihongo|IC Commuter Pass|IC定期券|Ai Shī Teikiken}} and branded with the words "SKYRAIL PASS", which launched along with the line's opening in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-02 |title=進化する自動改札機､世界初の遅延証明も！ |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/57097 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Toyo Keizai]]|language=ja}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The line opened on 28 August 1998, with a total construction cost of approximately [[Japanese Yen|¥]]6.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/hakusyo/transport/heisei10/index2051/c1.html |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]]|title=新交通システム「スカイレール」運行開始}}</ref>
The line opened on 28 August 1998, with a total construction cost of approximately [[Japanese Yen|¥]]6.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/hakusyo/transport/heisei10/index2051/c1.html |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]]|title=新交通システム「スカイレール」運行開始}}</ref>


The operators of the line announced on 5 November 2022 that the line would be closed by the end of 2023 due to profitability concerns, with it being replaced by electric buses operated by [[Geiyo Bus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=みどり坂のスカイレール、2023年末めどに運行終了へ JR瀬野駅と団地結ぶ交通システム【動画】|url=https://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/articles/-/234846 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Chugoku Shimbun]]|date=5 November 2022 |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=世界唯一の公共交通「スカイレール」2024年5月1日廃止決定！ 運行終了は異例の真っ昼間 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/131350 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=乗りものニュース |language=ja}}</ref> The closure was postponed to spring 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=スカイレール 運行終了を来年４月末に延期 広島 | date=14 June 2023 |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rcc/542105?display=1 |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref> and ended operations at noon on April 30, 2024. Skyrail Service was dissolved the following day.<ref name=":0" />
Skyrail Service announced on 5 November 2022 that the line would be closed by the end of 2023 due to profitability concerns, and that electric buses operated by [[Geiyo Bus]] would operate as a replacement, with a route providing greater coverage across the community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=みどり坂のスカイレール、2023年末めどに運行終了へ JR瀬野駅と団地結ぶ交通システム【動画】|url=https://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/articles/-/234846 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Chugoku Shimbun]]|date=5 November 2022 |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=世界唯一の公共交通「スカイレール」2024年5月1日廃止決定！ 運行終了は異例の真っ昼間 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/131350 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=乗りものニュース |language=ja}}</ref> The closure was later postponed to spring 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=スカイレール 運行終了を来年４月末に延期 広島 | date=14 June 2023 |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rcc/542105?display=1 |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref>
Skyrail ended operations at noon on April 30, 2024, and the company dissolved the following day.<ref name=":0" />


== Technology ==
== Technology ==
The line uses a unique "Skyrail" [[rail transport]] system developed mainly by [[Kobe Steel]] and [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]. It is a fusion between a suspended monorail and an [[aerial lift]] (ropeway). Driverless gondola-sized cars, suspended from a single [[steel]] track, are moved by an attached cable. Inside each station, cars release the cable and move by [[linear motor]]s. The technology allows the line to climb steep slopes of up to 14 degrees, while also being able to navigate curves of up to 30m radius.<ref name="trafficnews">{{Cite web |title=日本唯一の交通システム「スカイレール」 見かけはロープウェイ、走行にリニアの技術 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/81407 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Traffic News|date=11 September 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>
The line used a unique "Skyrail" [[rail transport]] system developed mainly by [[Kobe Steel]] and [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]. It was a fusion between a suspended monorail and an [[aerial lift]] (ropeway). Driverless gondola-sized cars, suspended from a single [[steel]] track, were moved by an attached cable. Inside each station, cars released the cable and were moved by [[linear motor]]s. The technology allowed the line to climb steep slopes of up to 14 degrees, while also being able to accommodate curves with a radius of up to 30 meters.<ref name="trafficnews">{{Cite web |title=日本唯一の交通システム「スカイレール」 見かけはロープウェイ、走行にリニアの技術 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/81407 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Traffic News|date=11 September 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>


=== Rolling stock ===
=== Rolling stock ===
The entire line uses 200 series vehicles, which hold up to 25 people. The operating speed is 15 km/h.<ref name="trafficnews"/>
The entire line used 200 series vehicles, which held up to 25 people. The operating speed was 15 km/h.<ref name="trafficnews"/>


== Services ==
== Services ==
The line operates from around 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with cars running every 15 minutes during midday and late night, and every 5–10 minutes at peak morning and evening times. A night taxi runs afterwards until midnight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-10 |title=スカイレール・ジャンボタクシー|url=http://www.sekisuihouse.co.jp/bunjou/midorizaka/location/skyrail.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110154948/http://www.sekisuihouse.co.jp/bunjou/midorizaka/location/skyrail.html |archive-date=2016-11-10 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Sekisui House]]}}</ref>
The line operated from around 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with cars that ran every 15 minutes during midday and late night, and every 5–10 minutes at peak morning and evening times. A night taxi provided services between 10 p.m. and midnight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-10 |title=スカイレール・ジャンボタクシー|url=http://www.sekisuihouse.co.jp/bunjou/midorizaka/location/skyrail.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110154948/http://www.sekisuihouse.co.jp/bunjou/midorizaka/location/skyrail.html |archive-date=2016-11-10 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=[[Sekisui House]]}}</ref>


It takes five minutes to travel the whole length of the line. The fare is [[Japanese Yen|¥]]170 for adults.<ref name="trafficnews"/>
A one-way trip across the entire length of the line took five minutes. The fare was [[Japanese Yen|¥]]170 for adults and could be paid with a [[QR code]]-scannable ticket (issued from a [[ticket machine]]) or Skyrail-specific smart card.<ref name="trafficnews"/>


==Stations==
==Stations==
Line 89: Line 91:
== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Skyrail Service}}
{{commons category|Skyrail Service}}
* {{in lang|ja}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20141105020415/http://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/engineering/products/traffic/skyrail/index.html Intra-city transport system: Skyrail], from Kobe Steel official website.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141105020415/http://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/engineering/products/traffic/skyrail/index.html Intra-city transport system: Skyrail], via Kobe Steel's official website {{in lang|ja}}
* {{YouTube|GJSB7p-937k}}
* {{YouTube|GJSB7p-937k}}


Latest revision as of 08:07, 7 May 2024

Skyrail Midorizaka Line
Overview
Other name(s)Hiroshima Short Distance Transit Seno Line
Native nameスカイレールみどり坂線
（広島短距離交通瀬野線）
Stations3
Service
TypeSuspended monorail
Operator(s)Skyrail Service (スカイレールサービス)
Rolling stock200 series
History
Opened28 August 1998 (1998-08-28)
ClosedApril 30, 2024
Technical
Line length1.3 km (0.81 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterElevated
Electrification440 V DC
SignallingLinear motor
Highest elevation180 m (590 ft)
Route diagram

Legend
 Midori-Chūō
Midori-Nakamachi
to Nakanohigashi
Midoriguchi │ Seno
to Hachihonmatsu
This diagram:
200 series vehicles, which operated on Skyrail's route since day one. Each vehicle holds up to 25 passengers.

The Skyrail Midorizaka Line (スカイレールみどり坂線, Sukairēru Midorizaka-sen) was a monorail/people mover line operated by Skyrail Service. The line ran between Midoriguchi and Midori-Chūō, all within the new town called Skyrail Town Midorizaka, located in Aki, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The line was officially called the Hiroshima Short Distance Transit Seno Line (広島短距離交通瀬野線, Hiroshima Tankyori Kōtsū Seno-sen).

The line was the first Japanese public transport system to introduce a smart card, simply called IC Commuter Pass (IC定期券, Ai Shī Teikiken) and branded with the words "SKYRAIL PASS", which launched along with the line's opening in 1998.[1]

History[edit]

The line opened on 28 August 1998, with a total construction cost of approximately ¥6.2 billion.[2]

Skyrail Service announced on 5 November 2022 that the line would be closed by the end of 2023 due to profitability concerns, and that electric buses operated by Geiyo Bus would operate as a replacement, with a route providing greater coverage across the community.[3][4] The closure was later postponed to spring 2024.[5]

Skyrail ended operations at noon on April 30, 2024, and the company dissolved the following day.[4]

Technology[edit]

The line used a unique "Skyrail" rail transport system developed mainly by Kobe Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was a fusion between a suspended monorail and an aerial lift (ropeway). Driverless gondola-sized cars, suspended from a single steel track, were moved by an attached cable. Inside each station, cars released the cable and were moved by linear motors. The technology allowed the line to climb steep slopes of up to 14 degrees, while also being able to accommodate curves with a radius of up to 30 meters.[6]

Rolling stock[edit]

The entire line used 200 series vehicles, which held up to 25 people. The operating speed was 15 km/h.[6]

Services[edit]

The line operated from around 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with cars that ran every 15 minutes during midday and late night, and every 5–10 minutes at peak morning and evening times. A night taxi provided services between 10 p.m. and midnight.[7]

A one-way trip across the entire length of the line took five minutes. The fare was ¥170 for adults and could be paid with a QR code-scannable ticket (issued from a ticket machine) or Skyrail-specific smart card.[6]

Stations[edit]

All the stations on the line are elevated, with two side platforms serving two tracks.

Name Japanese Coordinates Distance (km) Transfers
Between
stations		 Total
Midoriguchi みどり口 34°25′19.9″N 132°35′46.8″E / 34.422194°N 132.596333°E / 34.422194; 132.596333 (Midoriguchi Station) - 0  G  Sanyo Main Line (Seno Station)
Midori-Nakamachi みどり中街 34°25′40″N 132°35′42″E / 34.42778°N 132.59500°E / 34.42778; 132.59500 (Midori-Nakamachi Station) 0.7 0.7
Midori-Chūō みどり中央 34°25′49″N 132°35′22″E / 34.43028°N 132.58944°E / 34.43028; 132.58944 (Midori-Chūō Station) 0.6 1.3
  • Midoriguchi station
    Midoriguchi station
  • Midori-Nakamachi station
    Midori-Nakamachi station
  • Midori-Chūō station
    Midori-Chūō station

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "進化する自動改札機､世界初の遅延証明も！". Toyo Keizai (in Japanese). 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  2. ^ "新交通システム「スカイレール」運行開始". Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  3. ^ "みどり坂のスカイレール、2023年末めどに運行終了へ JR瀬野駅と団地結ぶ交通システム【動画】". Chugoku Shimbun (in Japanese). 5 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  4. ^ a b "世界唯一の公共交通「スカイレール」2024年5月1日廃止決定！ 運行終了は異例の真っ昼間". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  5. ^ "スカイレール 運行終了を来年４月末に延期 広島". 14 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  6. ^ a b c "日本唯一の交通システム「スカイレール」 見かけはロープウェイ、走行にリニアの技術". Traffic News (in Japanese). 11 September 2018. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  7. ^ "スカイレール・ジャンボタクシー". Sekisui House. 2016-11-10. Archived from the original on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2022-11-07.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skyrail Service.

34°25′39″N 132°35′45″E / 34.4275°N 132.5957°E / 34.4275; 132.5957

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skyrail_Midorizaka_Line&oldid=1222673127"