10-826: The Esashi Line ( 江差線 , Esashi-sen ) was a Japanese railway line formerly operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It connected Goryōkaku (near Hakodate) and Esashi . The section between Kikonai and Esashi closed in May 2014, and the remainder was transferred to third-sector operator South Hokkaido Railway Company in March 2016 following the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen . All stations are in Hokkaido . Track: ∥: Double track, ∨: Double track ends, ◇: Passing loop |: No passing loop The Goryokaku to Kamiiso section opened on 15 September 1913, and
20-591: A ferry service to Aomori . Since then, that figure has dwindled to just below 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi), as unprofitable lines have been shut down or spun off (in the case of the Hokkaidō Chihoku Kōgen Railway ). The ferry service has also been replaced by the Seikan Tunnel . On 19 November 2016, JR Hokkaido's president announced plans to further rationalize its network by the withdrawal of services from up to 1,237 km, or about 50% of
30-466: Is often referred to using its official abbreviation of JR Hokkaido ( JR北海道 , Jeiāru Hokkaidō ) . It operates intercity and local rail services in Hokkaido , Japan. The company introduced Kitaca , a smart card ticketing system, in autumn 2008. At the time of its privatization in 1987, JR Hokkaido operated 21 railway lines totalling 3,176.6 kilometres (1,973.8 mi) of narrow-gauge ( 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in )) track, as well as
40-494: The 42 km (26 mi) non-electrified section of the line between Kikonai and Esashi in spring 2014 due to a lack of financial viability. In fiscal 2011, the Kikonai to Esashi section was served by six return services daily, with an average patronage of 41 passengers per km daily, the lowest for any of JR Hokkaido's lines. The Kikonai – Esashi section was closed in 2014, with the last services operating on 11 May. Operations on
50-638: The Nayoro - Wakkanai section of the Soya Line and Kushiro - Nemuro section of the Nemuro Line are proposed for conversion to Third Sector operation, but if local governments are not agreeable, such sections will also face closure. JR Hokkaido closed 25 stations from March 2021 to March 2022 due to a decrease in passengers. JR Hokkaido's headquarters are in Chūō-ku, Sapporo . These lines were closed under
60-890: The current network, including closure of the remaining section of the Rumoi Main Line (the Rumoi - Mashike section closed on 4 December 2016), the Shin-Yubari - Yubari section of the Sekisho Line (closed on 1 April 2019), the non-electrified section of the Sassho Line (closed 17 April 2020) and the Nemuro Line between Furano and Shintoku. Other lines including the Sekihoku Main Line , Senmo Main Line ,
70-650: The ownership of JR Hokkaido since 1987. The company also operated the Seikan Ferry until 1988. These lines have been closed by JNR in Hokkaido before 1 April 1987. Seikan Ferry The Seikan Ferry ( 青函フェリー ) is a privately owned ferry service crossing the Tsugaru Strait , which separates the Japanese islands of Hokkaido and Honshu . The company, Seikan Ferry Ltd. ( 有限会社青函フェリー ) ,
80-493: The remaining section of the line between Goryōkaku and Kikonai was transferred from JR Hokkaido to the newly created South Hokkaido Railway Company when the Hokkaido Shinkansen opened on 26 March 2016. Hokkaido Railway Company The Hokkaido Railway Company ( 北海道旅客鉄道株式会社 , Hokkaidō Ryokaku Tetsudō kabushiki gaisha ) is one of the constituent companies of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), and
90-428: Was extended to Kikonai on 25 October 1930. The Kikonai to Yunotai section opened on 10 December 1935, and was extended to Esashi on 10 November 1936. The Goryokaku to Kikonai section was electrified on 13 March 1988 as part of the upgrading of the line associated with the opening of the Seikan Tunnel and associated Kaikyo Line linking Hokkaido to Honshu. On 7 August 2012, JR Hokkaido announced its intention to close
100-670: Was founded in 1973 and runs between the cities of Aomori on the northern tip of Honshu and Hakodate in southern Hokkaido. This route links the Port of Hakodate in Hakodate with the Port of Aomori in Aomori . A trip takes three hours and twenty minutes one way, and is operated by four ships: the Hayabusa , Hayabusa 3 , Asakaze 5 , and Asakaze 21 . Each ship makes two round trips a day, with
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