Rumoi Main Line to be closed in April; new replacement bus, “Kitaso Liner,” to be operated by Dohoku Bus and communities along the line from October.

JR Hokkaido has announced the operation system for the Rumoi Main Line (Fukagawa to Ishikari-Numada), which will be completely discontinued as of April 1, and the bus route that will replace it.

Currently, Sorachi Chuo Bus operates the Numata route (Fukagawa Municipal Hospital-mae to Numata Ekimae) in parallel with this route, and in April, Dohoku Bus will add the Numata-Fukagawa route (Kitaso Liner), an express route, to this service. In addition, the Fukagawa area will have a new bus stop called “Fukafuka” (scheduled to open in November), and the Chichibubetsu area will have a new bus stop called “Pirina” (scheduled to open in April).

The “Kitaso Liner” will be equipped with a new type of vehicle and wrapped in yellow and green colors. A bus location system and fare payment by touch will also be introduced. The bus will basically run between Fukagawa Ekimae and Numata Kanko Joho Plaza, but on weekday mornings, one bus bound for Fukagawa will not go through Fukagawa Ekimae, but instead run to Fukagawa Nishi Koumae.

From April onward, public transportation between Fukagawa and Numata will consist of four round trips per day on the “Kitaso Liner” (3.5 round trips on weekends and holidays) and five round trips on the Numata route (three round trips on weekends and holidays). Although not via Numata area, the Rumoi Asahikawa route of Dohoku Bus and Coastal Bus will also be available with 5 round trips per day (via Chichibubetsu).

Commuter passes for the Numata Line and the “Kitaso Liner” can be used in common and will be issued by Sorachi Chuo Bus. On weekday mornings, Asumo Kanko Bus will operate one charter bus service between Numata Kanko Joho Plaza and Fukagawa Station as a bus service available only to commuter pass holders.

The Numata Line will also be converted to the “Kitaso Liner” after October, operated mainly by the local community. The new service will be operated as a private paid passenger transportation service, and the vehicle design will be the same as the one operated by Dohoku Bus.

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© Source travel watch