Utsunomiya Light Rail

File:Utsunomiya LRT consideration route.png

The project to develop a light rail line in Utsunomiya was conceived because of the need to alleviate serious traffic congestion.{{cite journal |author=Hirotaka Koike |language=ja|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/citylife/22/0/22_19/_pdf/-char/ja|format=PDF |title=宇都宮市のLRT －これまでとこれから |trans-title=LRT in Utsunomiya － Looking Back the Past and Exploring the Future| journal=Utsunomiya Kyōwa University City Life Studies |accessdate=2024-01-09}}

Since the 1960s, when Japan's economy grew dramatically (Japanese economic miracle) , large industrial areas such as Hiraide Industrial Park and Kiyohara Industrial Park were developed in the eastern part of Utsunomiya City, and as many as 30,000 employees came to work there.{{Cite web|url=https://u-movenext.net/assets/pdf/lrt_overview_pamphlet.pdf|format=PDF|title=芳賀・宇都宮LRT（ライトライン）事業概要|accessdate=2024-09-01|trans-title=Haga Utsunomiya LRT (LIGHTLINE) Project overview|publisher=Utsunomiya City office}} However, these industrial parks were far from the center of Utsunomiya, and it was necessary to cross the Kinugawa River to access them, so traffic congestion became serious around the limited bridges that crossed the Kinugawa River due to passenger cars driven by commuters and trucks transporting raw materials and products. This is because Tochigi Prefecture is one of the most motorized regions in Japan, and has the highest dependence on automobiles for transportation in this country, so most residents have lived a life that relies on automobiles for transportation. Due to serious traffic congestion, it can take more than an hour to travel 10 to 15 kilometers from the center of Utsunomiya to the industrial parks, and it became a serious social problem that required an immediate solution.

In addition, in the Utsunomiya metropolitan area, the Tōhoku Main Line, a railway trunk line, runs north-south from Utsunomiya Station, but there has never been a railway line running east-west. This weakened the east-west regional axis, and the Tōhoku Main Line divided the north and south of the city. Because the center of Utsunomiya is west of Utsunomiya Station, the limited means of transportation other than railways, bus routes, are also concentrated on the west side, and many areas on the east side have difficulty accessing public transportation, let alone bus routes.

In order to fundamentally solve these problems, the idea of developing a Monorail connecting the east and west sides of Utsunomiya was proposed by Utsunomiya City office in 1987,{{Cite news|title=JR宇都宮駅をはさむ交通手段 東西結ぶ3ルート模索 モノレールなどの構想も|trans-title=Transportation around JR Utsunomiya Station Exploring 3 routes connecting east and west Concepts such as monorail |newspaper=The Shimotsuke Newspaper|date=1987-08-13|pages=4}} but it was not realized. In 1993, the then governor of Tochigi Prefecture came up with the "New Transportation System Concept" to develop a new transportation system connecting Utsunomiya and industrial areas, and serious consideration began for the first time.

In addition to Tochigi Prefecture, Utsunomiya City also participated in the study of the concept, and in 2001 it was decided that the new transportation system would be light rail, and in 2003 a plan was presented for a line that would connect the east and west sides of Utsunomiya City beyond Utsunomiya Station. However, the project did not progress for a long time, as it was not profitable and conflicts of opinion between Utsunomiya City Hall, the Tochigi Prefecture Governor, and Kantō Transportation (Local bus company) made it difficult to commercialize the project. However, the situation changed dramatically when the government announced a policy of providing generous subsidies for the development of light rail lines, and the Kantō Transportation changed hands due to a management crisis and became more supportive of the project, and in 2013 Utsunomiya City officially decided to develop a light rail line.

Construction started in 2018, with a target opening date of March 2022, but it was eventually moved back to March 2023.{{Cite news |date=June 4, 2022 |title=宇都宮ライトレールの開業がさらに延期か？…交通量が多い交差点での工事が難航 |language=ja |trans-title=Utsunomiya Light Rail's Opening to be Further Delayed? ...Construction work at a busy intersection encountered difficulties |work=news.yahoo.co.jp |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2093202ca06e82088fbfd128fd0c17d087fa7186 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606133855/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2093202ca06e82088fbfd128fd0c17d087fa7186 |archive-date=June 6, 2022}} This date was later further postponed to August 26, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.miyarail.co.jp/news/103 | title=3月1日からライトラインの試運転(第二弾)が開始されます}} On April 3, 2023, ten round trips a day of driver proficiency training using the new light rail vehicles began.{{cite web | url=https://www.miyarail.co.jp/news/105 | title=4/3～ 習熟運転を開始します}}

On November 19, 2022, an LRT train derailed during a trial run. There were no injuries.{{cite web | url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20221119-71955/ | title=Next-generation tram derails during trial run | date=19 November 2022 }}

The line started operation on August 26, 2023. Utsunomiya became the first city in Japan to have a new tram system in 75 years after Takaoka, Toyama.{{Cite news|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/16c7e5e9d81d-japans-1st-new-tram-in-75-years-starts-operating-north-of-tokyo.html|title=Japan's 1st new tram system in 75 years starts operating north of Tokyo|website=Kyodo News|date=August 26, 2023|accessdate=August 26, 2023}}

On September 13, 2024, just over a year after opening, the line reached a milestone of 5 million passengers,{{Cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20240913/k00/00m/020/109000c|title=宇都宮LRT、500万人達成 開業から384日目 予想より早く|website=毎日新聞}} 20% more than forecast.{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/09/5f262b48b0a3-utsunomiya-trams-rejuvenation-achievements-a-model-for-other-cities.html|title=Utsunomiya tram's rejuvenation achievements a model for other cities|first=KYODO|last=NEWS|website=Kyodo News+}}

File:Network type Compact City Projects of Utsunomiya Conceptual Map.png

Many regional cities in Japan are suffering from population decline and aging, and Utsunomiya City is no different. Utsunomiya City has been undergoing disorderly development for many years, and urban functions have been dispersed, so it is expected that maintaining urban functions will become difficult as the population decline and aging progresses. To address this issue, Utsunomiya City is promoting the creation of a "Network-type Compact city"(NCC) that aims to maintain regional communities and urban functions by consolidating urban functions in each region and connecting the regions with a public transportation network.{{Cite web|url=https://www.city.utsunomiya.tochigi.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/007/653/vision.pdf|title=ネットワーク型コンパクトシティ形成ビジョン|date=2016-09-30|accessdate=2023-09-09|publisher=Utsunomiya City Office|trans-title=Network type Compact City formulation fision|format=PDF}}

The Utsunomiya Light Rail serves as a public transportation axis that runs through Utsunomiya City from east to west, connecting regions and functioning as the center of the public transportation network, playing an important role in the development of a compact city.

Based on the Japanese law “Act on Revitalization and Reproduction of Regional Public Transportation,” the local governments, Utsunomiya City and Haga Town, own the operating facilities such as tracks, stops and rolling stock. Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd was established as a joint venture between the local government and companies (Third-sector railway company) to operateing renting facilities from local governments.{{Cite report | author= 芳賀・宇都宮基幹公共交通検討委員会| date= 2013-11-21 | title= 東西基幹公共交通（LRT）の取組状況等について | url= http://www.city.utsunomiya.ig.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/006/078/131121shiryou2.pdf | publisher= Utsunomiya City office | accessdate= 2024-12-15 }}

Half of the construction cost is subsidized by the government, with the local government bearing the remaining half.

Since ancient times, the Utsunomiya area has had a climate where there is a lot of thunder in the summer, and it has also been known as "Raito"（雷都, "The capital of thunder"）. As such, lightning was used as the motif for the design, and under the concept of "Bringing "Raito" to the future - Create the mobility city of future by LRT - ", a "total design" initiative was implemented to enhance clarity and appeal by giving the vehicles and facilities a unified design based on a unified concept for the facilities. The reasons for choosing lightning were that it has “universality” that makes it enduring and indestructible, “uniqueness” that shows the uniqueness of Utsunomiya City and Haga Town, and “expandability” that can be reflected in the design of a variety of facilities. The image color is yellow, inspired by the color of lightning, and is used for the logo, vehicles, and route color.{{Cite web|url=https://www.city.utsunomiya.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/006/078/shiro216.pdf|title=LRTデザインの検討状況について|language=JA|publisher=Utsunomiya City office|accessdate=2024-12-15}}

On the wall of each stop, “individualized design” is displayed, which is based on the total design and expresses the local climate and culture with the participation of local residents.

File:Utsunomiya Haga Lightrail Line map.svg

Almost all trains are "{{nihongo|Local|各駅停車|Kakueki Teisha}}" trains that stop at all stations. On weekdays, trains are operated at intervals of 6 to 8 minutes during rush hours (approximately from 6 to 9 and from 5 to 7 pm on weekdays), and at intervals of 12 minutes during other off-peak hours (except during the above-mentioned times on weekdays and holidays). The service is available from 4:00 to 24:00 on weekdays and from 5:00 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miyarail.co.jp/utsunomiya-station-east-01?tab=tab_time|title= 宇都宮駅東口 時刻表|trans-title=Time table of Utsunomiya Station East|language=ja|publisher=Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd.|accessdate=2024-08-16}}

The train schedule is aligned with that of the Tōhoku Shinkansen, which arrives at and departs from Utsunomiya Station, and connects with the first train on the same line bound for Tokyo Station and the last train arriving at Utsunomiya Station.The time required from the Utsunomiya Station East, the starting point of the train, to the Haga Takanezawa Industrial Park, the ending point, is approximately 44 minutes on weekday schedules and 48 minutes on holiday schedules.{{Cite web|url=https://u-movenext.net/about/|title=LRTについて|trans-title=Abouts LRT|publisher=Utsunomiya City office|accessdate=2024-08-16|language=ja}}

On weekday mornings, an "{{nihongo|Express|快速|Kaisoku}}" train is available in addition to the local train for the Haga Takanezawa Industrial Park direction only. Express trains stop at Utsunomiya Station East, Utsunomiya University Yoto Campus, Hiraishi, Seiryo High School, and each station from Seiryo High School to Haga and Takanezawa Industrial Park, while other stations are not served.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miyarail.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/%E5%AE%87%E9%83%BD%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE-%E6%98%A5%E3%81%AE%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4%E6%94%B9%E6%AD%A324%E5%B9%B44%E6%9C%881%E6%97%A5-%E6%A6%82%E8%A6%81.pdf|title=「ダイヤ改正」について|trans-title=Abouts "Change Timetable"|date=2024-02-21|accessdate=2024-10-03|language=ja|publisher=Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd.}}

Fares are based on distance and range from 150 yen to 400 yen for adults one-way. Fares can be paid in cash or by Nationwide Mutual Usage Service-compliant IC cards (Suica, PASMO, and the “totra” IC card issued in Utsunomiya, etc.). When paying with cash, passengers receive a “numbered ticket” from a ticket machine located at the stop, board from the front door of the first car, and disembark from the front door of the first car after inserting the numbered ticket and fare into the fare box. IC card users can board and alight from any door, and touch their card to the IC card reader next to the door when boarding and alighting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miyarail.co.jp/utsunomiya-station-east-01?tab=tab_time|title= LRT(ライトライン)のご利用方法|trans-title=How to take the LRT(LIGHTLINE)|language=ja|publisher=Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd.|accessdate=2024-08-16}}

There are also feeder buses that connect to areas outside the rail line from Utsunomiya Station East, Utsunomiya University Yoto Campus, Kiyohara District Civic Center, Haga Industrial Park Management Center, which can be used in combination with trains.{{Cite web|url=https://www.city.utsunomiya.lg.jp/kurashi/kotsu/kokyo/1032636.html|title=令和5年8月27日（日曜日）にバス路線が変わりました|trans-title=Bus route was changed at August 27 2023 (Sunday)|publisher=Utsunomiya City office|date=2024-05-31|accessdate=2024-08-16|language=ja}}

The line is served by the {{Ill|Utsunomiya Light Rail HU300 series|ja|宇都宮ライトレールHU300形電車}}, branded LIGHTLINE.{{cite web |date=1 June 2021 |title=First Lightline tram arrives |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/projects-and-planning/first-lightline-tram-arrives/59231.article |website=Metro Report International}} Niigata Transys built and delivered 17 sets of three-section low-floor light rail vehicles.

File:LIGHTLINE HU300-303.jpg

File:Utsunomiya LRT Linemap.svg

• All stations are located in Tochigi Prefecture.
• Local services stop at all stations.
• Express services stop at stations marked ●, and pass stations marked ↓.

It has been decided to extend the line from its current starting point at Utsunomiya Station East to the {{nihongo|Tochigi Education Center|:ja:栃木県教育会館|Tochigi-ken Kyōiku Kaikan}} ({{Coord|36|34|25|N|139|51|19|E}}), 5 km to the west via Tōbu-Utsunomiya Station, in the 2030s.{{Cite web|url= https://u-movenext.net/westside/|title=駅西側ライトライン延伸について |trans-title=Abouts LIGHTLINE Extension towards Station West Side|publisher=Utsunomiya City office (MOVENEXT web site)|accessdate=2024-09-02|language=ja}}

The basic plan for the Utsunomiya light rail line has been decided for the line to extend from Utsunomiya Station to Sakura-Dōri-Jūmonji ({{Coord|36|33|54|N|139|52|03|E}}) (Sakura 2 intersection on National Route 119), 3 km away, via Ō-dōri avenue (main street of Utsunomiya) that runs through downtown Utsunomiya, in addition to the section east of Utsunomiya Station, which is currently in operation.{{Cite web|url= https://www.city.utsunomiya.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/006/078/130319kihonhoushin.pdf|title= 東西基幹公共交通の実現に向けた基本方針 |trans-title=Basic policy for realize to Core public transportation system connecting the west and east|publisher=Utsunomiya City office |date=2013-03-31|accessdate=2024-09-02|language=ja}} In addition, Utsunomiya City office has studied the possibility of extending the line further, and has decided to extend it 2 km further west from Sakura-Dōri-Jūmonji to the Tochigi Education Center in 2022.{{Cite web|url= https://www.city.utsunomiya.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/006/078/34siryou4.pdf |title= 駅西側におけるLRT等によるNCCの更なる推進について |trans-title= Further promotion of NCC by LRT, etc. on the west side of the station |publisher=Utsunomiya City office |date=2024-08-23|accessdate=2024-09-02|language=ja}} The line is located in the center of Utsunomiya City and schools are located along it, so commuter demand is expected, and the line is expected to serve as a transportation axis connecting the east and west sides of Utsunomiya and revitalize the city center. It is also envisioned to extend the line further west from the Tochigi Education Center to the vicinity of the Ōya Sightseeing area, a major tourist attraction in Utsunomiya.

• All stations names are Tentative name.
• Information as of February 2024.
• All Station points are located in Utsunomiya.

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{{reflist}}This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.

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