With the opening of the Nishikyushu Shinkansen, a new limited express train service will start on the parallel conventional line section.

Along with the opening of the Nishikyushu Shinkansen, a new limited express train, ``Kasagi,'' which runs on a parallel conventional line, will start operating from the 23rd, and will depart from JR Hizen Kashima Station in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, which is the starting station. ceremony was held.

With the opening of the Nishikyushu Shinkansen, the Nagasaki Main Line between Kohoku-cho, Saga Prefecture and Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture will become a parallel conventional line from the 23rd. As a train, operation began on the 23rd.

About 30 people boarded the first train bound for Hakata, including locals who wanted to take a commemorative ride, and tourists heading to Fukuoka and Kansai.

At 6:39 am after the departure ceremony was held at the station, we left for Hakata while the locals waved their flags.

For the time being, JR Kyushu will continue to operate trains on the parallel conventional line, but the number of limited express trains departing from and arriving at Hizen-Kashima Station will be reduced to 14 per day, one-third of the current number.

A woman in her 60s living in Kashima City said, "To commemorate the first train, I plan to ride to Hakata and return soon. It's a pity that the number of limited express trains departing from and arriving at Hizen Kashima will decrease, but I would like to use the railway as much as possible from now on. I think," he said.

In addition, a woman in her 50s living in Kashima City said, "Until now, limited express trains used to stop at Hizen-Kashima Station one or two times an hour, but the number of trains has decreased significantly, making it inconvenient. I was talking.

Katsutoshi Matsuo, Mayor of Kashima City, said, "Although the number of limited express trains will decrease significantly, we would like to take this crisis as an opportunity to spread the appeal of the region and increase the number of railway users."

It has been pointed out that in the section that will be parallel to the conventional line, in addition to the reduction in limited express trains, the number of transfers will increase due to the change in timetable, which will reduce convenience. I'm going to ask JR for countermeasures.