JR Kagoshima Line reopens Uto–Yatsushiro section 74 days after July 28 Kumamoto quake
In short
Train services resumed on October 10 on the JR Kagoshima Line between Uto and Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, a section suspended since the earthquake of July 28. Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that JR conventional lines were fully restored after 74 days. JR Kyushu said the section had suffered major damage, including track deformation and damaged utility poles.
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Train services resumed on October 10 on the JR Kagoshima Line between Uto, in the city of Uto, and Yatsushiro, in the city of Yatsushiro, in Kumamoto Prefecture, Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. The section had been suspended since the earthquake of July 28, and the reopening marked the full restoration of JR conventional lines after 74 days, the two newspapers said. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to JR Kyushu, the suspended section suffered major damage, including deformation of the track and damage to utility poles. The company carried out work that included replacing damaged rails and installing new utility poles and overhead wires. [ 2 , 3 ]
Ahead of the reopening, TBS NEWS DIG reported on October 9 that a test train was running slowly along the line between Uto and Yatsushiro, about two and a half months after the earthquake. Its summary refers to rails over about 10 kilometres immediately after the July 28 quake, but the available text is cut off. [ 1 ]
The section is heavily used by students travelling to school. Until October 9, JR operated substitute buses and offered transfer transport on the Kyushu Shinkansen, which had fully reopened earlier, in September, the newspapers reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
Tokyo Shimbun reported that the company began running buses between Uto and Yatsushiro on August 26. A one-way trip that takes about 30 minutes by local train took about 1 hour 50 minutes by bus, which caused difficulties for commuters and students, the newspaper said. From September 18, passengers could use the Shinkansen between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro without a limited express ticket. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The Uto–Yatsushiro section is used heavily by students travelling to school, and Tokyo Shimbun reported that the replacement buses took about 1 hour 50 minutes against roughly 30 minutes by local train, disrupting commuters and students. The reopening ends the substitute bus service and Shinkansen transfer arrangements that ran until October 9.
Key facts
- Services on the JR Kagoshima Line between Uto and Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture resumed on October 10. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The section had been suspended because of the earthquake of July 28. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- JR conventional lines were fully restored after 74 days. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to JR Kyushu, the section suffered major damage including track deformation and damaged utility poles; work included replacing damaged rails and installing new poles and overhead wires. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Until October 9, JR ran substitute buses and transfer transport on the Kyushu Shinkansen, which had fully reopened earlier, in September. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Substitute buses ran from August 26 and took about 1 hour 50 minutes one way, against about 30 minutes by local train. [ 2 ]
- From September 18, the Shinkansen between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro could be used without a limited express ticket. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Services between Uto and Yatsushiro on the JR Kagoshima Line resumed on October 10, ending a 74-day suspension of JR conventional lines caused by the July 28 earthquake. [ 2 , 3 ]
- JR Kyushu replaced damaged rails and installed new utility poles and overhead wires after track deformation and pole damage. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The section is used heavily by students, and substitute buses and Kyushu Shinkansen transfer transport ran until October 9. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The full extent of rail damage immediately after the July 28 earthquake. TBS NEWS DIG's summary refers to rails over about 10 kilometres right after the quake, but the text is cut off and no other document gives this detail.
- The bus start date of August 26, the bus journey time and the September 18 Shinkansen ticket arrangement. Only Tokyo Shimbun reports these details.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 9: TBS NEWS DIG reports that the Uto–Yatsushiro section will reopen on October 10, with a test train running slowly on the line beforehand. [ 1 ]
- October 10: Tokyo Shimbun reports that services between Uto and Yatsushiro resumed, completing the full restoration of JR conventional lines after 74 days. [ 2 ]
- October 10: Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports the same reopening. [ 3 ]