Services on the JR Joban Line will improve starting July 9th 2005 (Sat). 
Affecting only one line, this is a rather unusual timetable change for JR East. 
The company wants to keep Joban Line competitive as Tsukuba Express (Akihabara -
Tsukuba) opens August 24 2005.  Even with these improvements, JR East predicts
losing 7% of Joban Line patronage, or about 100,000 passengers daily, to Tsukuba
Express.


1.  New train type Tokubetsu Kaisoku ("special rapid")

This new train will run hourly between Ueno and Tsuchiura.

Stations served: Ueno, Nippori, Matsudo, Kashiwa, Toride and all stops beyond. 
(Skips Kita-Senju Junction.)

Travel time:  Ueno-Matsudo 13 min, Ueno-Tsuchiura 55 min.

Ueno departures: 10:10, 11:12 -(hourly)- 15:12
Tsuchiura departures: 10:57 -(hourly)- 14:57

Timetable:
http://www.geocities.jp/kkkc86/joban.htm (with station names in Romaji)


No changes for local services, which provides through operation to Tokyo Metro
Chiyoda Line.  However, the rapid (kaisoku), the default service for much of the
course (Ueno to Kita-Senju and beyond Toride) is usually called "Joban-sen" or
even "local".  Beware.


2.  New cars

All Special Rapid trains will use new cars, color chrome with a blue belt.  They
will be the first JR East commuter cars to operate at 130km/h.  If riding
long-distance, you may want to use the box-style seats on cars 1, 2, 9, 10, 13,
14 and 15.  All other cars have only longitudinal benches.  Cars 1, 10 and 15
have western-style lavatories.  Car 1 is the on the south end (=leading car
nobori, Ueno bound).


3.  Limited Express services improved

There are two limited express types on the Joban Line, the fast, long-distance
"Super Hitachi" and the slower "Fresh Hitachi".

One "Fresh Hitachi" run added in the morning.
Two "Fresh Hitachi" runs added in the evening.
(This includes upgrades from runs made only once a week now.)

More "Fresh Hitachi" stops.  (See JR Mito page below.)

Currently, "Fresh Hitachi" serves one of either Matsudo, Kashiwa or Abiko.  From
July 9th Kashiwa will be the standard stop.  Boarding opportunities at Kashiwa
will roughly double.

Official JR announcements in Japanese:
http://www.jrmito.com/train_info/050427/
http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2005_1/20050407.pdf

Tsukuba Express (Japanese):
http://www.mir.co.jp/index.htm

Disclaimer:

This is a private translation of railroad announcements.  Despite my efforts,
there may be errors in this writing.  If you notice any error herein, please let
me know.


Bon Voyage,

Douso, The Prophet of the Way

[Cross-posted to fj.life.in-japan with permission from
soc.culture.japan.moderated moderators.]