Haga-Utsunomiya LRT is expected to be a major transportation infrastructure connecting the Utsunomiya urban area to the industrial park to the east. The Haga-Utsunomiya LRT is a very rare streetcar that is newly opened. The route begins at the east exit of Utsunomiya Station, heads east on Kinu Street, and enters a dedicated track just before the new No. 4 National Highway. After crossing the Kinugawa River on a dedicated bridge, it joins a public road and heads north beside the Tochigi Prefecture Green Stadium, turning east near the Yui no Mori area, then into Haga Town, where it heads north again toward an industrial park. A distinctive feature of this route is the “transit centers,” or transfer facilities, located at several stops. The transit centers will have bicycle parking, bus stops, parking lots, and local transit stops to meet the needs of users. The Utsunomiya City website likens the Haga-Utsunomiya LRT to the “backbone of a fish,” with the LRT taking care of the main part of the fish and buses and local transportation taking care of the other parts of the fish, making for a more efficient transportation infrastructure.
The nickname “Light Line” is named after the Thunder Capital, and the color is also yellow to reflect its color. The Haga-Utsunomiya LRT is nicknamed “Light Line” as it is written on the body of the train. Haga and Utsunomiya are known as “thunder capitals” because of their frequent thunderstorms, which are not only frightening, but also symbolize the blessings of abundant rainfall essential for rice cultivation. The main color of the train is yellow, inspired by the image of rice plants that have been richly harvested by the lightning. The train consists of three cars, is 29.52 m long, and has a seating capacity of approximately 160 passengers, with 50 seats. The entrance to the train is 30 cm high, the same height as the bus stop, for smooth boarding and exiting. Fares are mainly paid with traffic IC cards, but cash is also accepted.
The train runs on schedule from the city to the suburbs and offers scenic views. The test-ride went from Hiraishi, where the rail yard is located, to the east exit of Utsunomiya Station, then turned around and arrived at the Haga/Takanezawa Industrial Park. The train again departed according to schedule, and we experienced approximately one round trip to Hiraishi. Heading west from Hiraishi, the first thing to do is to go through the elevated road and merge onto Kinu Street. Although this is the main street in the city with a lot of traffic, I got the impression that the citizens driving the cars are already familiar with it, as they have been driving the trains on a trial basis since before the start of operations, and since August 8, the trains have been operating according to the original schedule. In addition, the traffic signals on the road were flanked by signals specifically for the LRT, so that both sides would not misidentify each other. At intersections, a “right/straight separation system” is adopted to prevent collisions between cars turning right and LRTs going straight, and this may also contribute to the lack of simultaneous signage (cars can turn right and LRTs can go straight). The interior of the new car is air-conditioned and comfortable. The seats are colored in the same manner as the Light Line, and the unified design gives a sophisticated impression that can be summed up in one word: “Cool! I felt. The rounded seats were also comfortable. The noise level while the train was running was not bothersome at all, and I felt the high level of perfection that is typical of the latest streetcars. After boarding the tram, I noticed that the route had a surprisingly large difference in gradient. From the elevated tracks and bridges, one can see the Kinugawa River with its abundant water and the rice fields with ears of rice just about to be harvested, which makes one feel like riding on a sightseeing train. The train is sure to make visitors and regular passengers feel the changing of the seasons. The train’s operation time was also very precise, making it a reassuring addition to the train service.
© Source travel watch
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