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 2024 (planned)
Technical
Line length1.3 km (0.81 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterElevated
Electrification440 V DC
SignallingLinear motor
Highest elevation160 m (520 ft)
Route diagram

 Midori-Chūō
 Midori-Nakamachi
 to Nakanohigashi
 Midoriguchi │ Seno
to Hachihonmatsu
200 series vehicles, which have been operating on the Skyrail 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) 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, Aki, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. The line is officially called 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 IC Commuter Pass (IC定期券, Aishī Teikiken), from the time the line itself opened on August 28, 1998.[1]

History

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

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.[3] The closure has been postponed to April 2024.[4]

Technology

The line uses a new "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. 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 motors. 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.[5]

Rolling stock

The entire line uses 200 series vehicles, which hold up to 25 people. The operating speed is 15 km/h.[5]

Services

The line operates from around 630am to 10pm, with cars running every 15 minutes during the midday, and every 5-10 minutes at other times. A night taxi runs afterwards until midnight.[6]

It takes five minutes to travel the whole length of the line. The fare is ¥170 for adults.[5]

Stations

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

NameJapaneseCoordinatesDistance (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)0.70.7
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)0.61.3

See also

References

  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. ↑ "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.
  5. 1 2 3 "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.
  6. ↑ "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.
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34°25′39″N 132°35′45″E / 34.4275°N 132.5957°E / 34.4275; 132.5957

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