New Railcars for Chikuho Electric Railroad

Chikuho Electric Railroad (total track length: 16km) will begin operating new 5000 Series railcars in March 2015.

The company, which is headquartered in Nakama, announced this to the media at its Kurosaki Railcar Facility in Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu. By the end of Fiscal 2017 the company will have four 5000 Series trainsets in operation.

The railroad operates a line from Kurosaki-Ekimae in Kitakyushu to Chikuho-Nogata in Nogata. During Fiscal 2013 daily ridership averaged approximately 13,800. Because its current railcars are becoming obsolete the company decided to introduce new railcars, with the support of municipalities the line runs through. The new cars have lower floors, with passenger door thresholds at about the same height as the platforms, permitting easier boarding and disembarking for the elderly and people with baby carriages.

When the company launches the new railcars on its track it will also introduce Nimoka smartcard services. According to Company President Masaharu Kawakami, the company intends to continue raising passenger satisfaction and convenience.

This article appeared in the YOMIURI ONLINE newspaper on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. We thank the publisher, The Yomiuri Shimbun, for granting us permission to present the article in translation.