nntsuzu/KFTT huggingface dataset:
English: Most of the local trains from Kyoto return at Omi-Imazu Station, while the coupling and decoupling of cars for special rapid trains departing from and arriving at Tsuruga Station are carried out at this station.
Japanese: ここで京都からの普通電車の大半が折り返すほか、敦賀発着の新快速の増解結作業が行われている。
English: The Kosei Line further runs through the rice-paddy area and approaches mountains after Makino Station to pass through the Mineyama tunnel (length: 3,910 meters) and then the Shiroyama tunnel (length: 2,318 meters) after passing Nagahara Station.
Japanese: さらに水田地帯の中を走って行くが、マキノを過ぎると山々が近づき、峰山トンネル（長さ3,910m）を通過、さらに永原を過ぎた先で城山トンネル（長さ2,318m）を抜けていく。
English: A so-called AC/DC dead section (a section in which power supply is cut off) existed on the north side of the Shiroyama tunnel until September 2006.
Japanese: 2006年9月までこの城山トンネルを抜けた北側に交直デッドセクションがあった。
English: The Kosei Line passes over the rice-paddy area on the elevated bridge of about 20 meters in height, approaches the Hokuriku Main Line on the right hand side in the traveling direction and ultimately reaches Omi-Shiotsu Station.
Japanese: その後約20mの高さの高架橋で水田地帯を越え、進行方向右手から北陸本線が寄り添い、近江塩津となる。
English: According to the purpose of the short circuit connecting Kansai and Hokuriku, among the superior trains bound for Hokuriku, all the limited express trains 'Thunderbird (train),' 'Raicho (train),' 'Nihonkai (train)' and 'Twilight Express (train),' except for the overnight express 'Kitaguni (train),' pass the Kosei Line.
Japanese: 関西～北陸の短絡線という目的に即して、北陸へ向かう優等列車は現在、夜行列車の急行「きたぐに(列車)」を除く特急「雷鳥(列車)」・「雷鳥(列車)」・「日本海(列車)」・「トワイライトエクスプレス」のすべてが湖西線を経由している。
English: Some limited express trains stop at Katata Station and Omi-Imazu Station to provide express service or accept commuters boarding between the Kosei area and the Keihanshin area.
Japanese: 一部の特急列車は堅田と近江今津に停まり、湖西と京阪神間の速達サービスや通勤利用に対応している。
English: Some limited express trains stop at Otsukyo Station under the circumstances that superior trains to the Hokuriku Line used to stop at Otsu Station during the era of the Tokaido Line.
Japanese: また、かつて東海道線時代に北陸線への優等列車が大津に停車していたことから、大津京に停まる特急もある。
English: Meanwhile, the Kosei Line also serves as local transportation within the Kosei area, and various special rapid trains and local trains are operated on the Kosei Line.
Japanese: 一方、湖西地区のローカル輸送を担う一面も持ち、線内の新快速・普通電車も多数運転されている。
English: Although the Kosei Line starts at Yamashina Station, all the trains go through to Kyoto Station owing to the track facility of the station and the passenger flow, and some rapid and special rapid trains go through to Osaka and Himeji.
Japanese: 山科が路線としての起点であるが、同駅の線路設備や乗客流動により京都駅まですべての列車が直通し、さらに快速列車・新快速列車など一部は大阪・姫路方面と直通している。
English: When the Kosei Line was opened, the local train would run only once an hour between Kyoto Station and Omi-Imazu Station or Nagahara Station; however, with the increase in the residential housing along the line the number of local trains has gradually increased.
Japanese: 開業当初、普通列車が京都～近江今津または永原間で1時間あたり1本というわずかな運転本数であったが、その後沿線の住宅増加に伴い、普通電車の本数は徐々に増加している。
English: Because the number of passengers using the Kosei Line increased significantly at Katata Station and Ono Station, many local trains return at Katata Station or Omi-Maiko Station.
Japanese: ただ、乗客増加が堅田、小野付近までに偏っているため、多くの普通列車は堅田または近江舞子で折り返す。
English: The local train going through to Osaka Station via Kyoto Station is set, and a commuter train with four doors and long seats is also operated.
Japanese: 朝には京都を越え大阪方面へ直通する普通列車も設定され、4扉ロングシートの通勤形電車も運用される。
English: The special rapid train would go through to Katata Station from the Keihanshin area once an hour during the day when the Kosei Line was opened; the through-train service was later extended to Omi-Imazu Station.
Japanese: また、開業時から新快速が堅田まで日中時間1本京阪神から直通し、のちに近江今津まで延長された。
English: The number of special rapid trains operated during the day is greater than that during the evening rush, which is uncommon; currently, the special rapid train is operated five times an hour during the day and four times an hour during the evening rush.
Japanese: 新快速の設定のある昼間帯が夕方ラッシュ帯より本数が多いという珍しい設定で、現在でも日中が新快速を含めて毎時5本、新快速のない夕方ラッシュ時は毎時4本運転である。
English: An outbound train from Kyoto Station runs only twice an hour between 7 and 8 a.m., which is remarkably infrequent.
Japanese: また京都駅発ベースで下り列車が朝7時台には2本しかなく、その点でも偏りがある。
English: Accordingly, for commuters the rapid train from Omi-Imazu Station to Osaka Station running once during the morning (set on March 16, 1996) and the rapid train from Kyoto Station to Nagahara Station running once in the evening (set on March 8, 1997) were added (the former passes Shin-Asahi, Omi-Takashima and Kitakomatsu Stations, and the latter stops at every station to the north of Omi-Maiko Station; however, both trains have stopped at Ogotoonsen Station since March 23, 2002), and the operation of these trains has been extended to Tsuruga Station.
Japanese: そのため通勤客対象に1996年3月16日からは朝通勤時の近江今津発大阪行き、1997年3月8日からは夕方帰宅時の京都発永原行きの上下1本ずつ快速が設定され（前者は新旭・近江高島・北小松通過、後者は近江舞子以北各駅に停車、2002年3月23日から快速は両者ともおごと温泉駅に停車するようになった）、のちの敦賀まで運転区間が延長されている。
English: Meanwhile, the number of local trains running in the section between Omi-Imazu and Omi-Shiotsu was initially three per day, which is exceptionally few, due to the operation of few AC electric local trains, and also due to the fact that part of the section changed to the AC electrification between this section.
Japanese: 一方、近江今津から近江塩津までは途中交流電化に変わること、もとよりローカルの交流があまりなかったことなどからこの区間の普通列車は当初1日3本と極めて少ない本数であった。
English: The number of trains gradually increased after JR's ownership of the Kosei Line, and a through train to Fukui via Tsuruga Station and a train running toward the south from Omi-Shiotsu Station to Nagahama Station and Maibara Station on the Hokuriku Line were established after the electrification.
Japanese: JRになってから徐々に本数は増え、電車化後は敦賀を越え福井方面へ直通する列車や、近江塩津から長浜・米原へ北陸線を南下する列車も設定された。
English: Consequent upon the extension of the DC section to Tsuruga Station, the operation of the special rapid train during the day was extended to Tsuruga Station with the schedule revision of October 21, 2006.
Japanese: 敦賀までの直流区間延伸により、2006年10月21日のダイヤ改正から日中の新快速は敦賀まで延長された。
English: Although the special rapid train is operated mainly between Omi-Imazu Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station during the morning and evening, some special rapid trains run through to Fukui or Maibara; the operation of rapid trains from the Kosei Line to Osaka during the morning and from Osaka to the Kosei Line is extended to arrive at and depart from Tsuruga Station during the evening.
Japanese: 朝晩は近江今津～近江塩津間の区間運転が主であるが、一部は福井や米原に直通するほか、朝の湖西線からの大阪方面直通と夜の大阪発湖西線快速が敦賀発着に延長されている。
English: Through the above setting of the trains, the special rapid train has come to run almost once an hour during the day between Nagahara Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station; additionally, one between 6 and 7 a.m. and one between 7 and 8 p.m. were added for the same section with the schedule revision of March 15, 2008.
Japanese: これらの列車設定により、永原～近江塩津間も日中はほぼ1時間1本運転となり、2008年3月15日のダイヤ改正で同区間で6時台と19時台にもう1往復ずつ増発されている。
English: During the day, the special rapid train bound for Omi-Imazu Station and Tsuruga Station stops at Otsukyo Station and variously connects with the local train in order for passengers to change trains.
Japanese: 日中の近江今津・敦賀行き新快速は大津京で停車(鉄道)緩急接続し普通列車に乗り換えができる。
English: The special rapid train bound for Kyoto and Osaka variously connects with local trains at Katata Station.
Japanese: また、京都大阪方面への新快速は堅田で普通列車との緩急接続を取っている。
English: However, only a few local trains variously connect with the special rapid train because a few special rapid trains are operated on the Kosei Line.
Japanese: ただし、湖西線内の新快速の本数が少ないため、緩急接続している普通列車はわずかである。
English: Since the opening of the Kosei Line, a special train has existed for the transportation of passengers bound for Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.
Japanese: 開業当初から琵琶湖や比良山系へのレジャー客輸送に臨時列車が設定されている。
English: Initially, the special train ran to extend the regular special rapid service to Katata Station to Omi-Imazu Station or to extend the rapid train between Aboshi Station and Osaka Station to the Kosei Line.
Japanese: 初期の頃は堅田までの定期新快速を近江今津まで延長するものや、網干大阪間の快速を湖西線に延長するものであった。
English: Some special trains adopt cars (Series 155) used for school trips, which are unused during the summer and winter seasons, and the cars of Miyahara Ward have received seismic reinforcement and hardy construction during the season.
Japanese: 臨時列車では夏冬に運用がない修学旅行用車（155系）を利用したものもあり、宮原区の車はこの時に耐寒耐雪工事を受けている。
English: Later, as the regular trains operated more frequently, the number of special trains decreased; however, the special rapid train, which temporarily stops at Shiga Station, is called 'Kosei Leisure Go' in order to distinguish it from the regular special rapid train.
Japanese: その後定期列車の増発が進み臨時列車の設定は減っていったが、志賀に臨時停車する新快速を「湖西レジャー号」と呼んで区別するなどの処置は続いている。
English: As the special rapid service was extended to Tsuruga Station, trains (comprised of four cars) have been regularly operated as special trains for the increased numbers of passengers since the fall of 2006, and especially for the transportation of passengers who use Makino Station (the nearest stop) to enjoy the blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki, the train bound for Tsuruga Station to be divided is operated as a special train prior to the regular train.
Japanese: また、新快速の敦賀延長にともない定期運用で4連化された列車の多客時救済列車が2006年秋以降定番化しており、特にマキノ駅を最寄りとする海津大崎の花見客輸送では敦賀行きを分割する編成が本編成に先行して救済臨として運転されている。
English: In the tourist season, a train traveling around Lake Biwa is frequently operated as a train reserved for groups.
Japanese: また観光シーズンには琵琶湖一周列車が団体貸切の形で多数運転されている。
English: The Kosei Line would use the platforms of the Tokaido Line when the Kosei Line was opened, but Platform 3 was given to the Kosei Line after the improvement work within Kyoto Station; many trains currently arrive at and depart from Platform 3.
Japanese: 開業時は発着ホームを東海道線に間借りしていたが、京都駅構内の改良工事により、湖西線列車の発車はほぼ3番ホームと固定され、多くの列車は3番線着発の折り返し運転となり現在まで続いている。
English: Some trains arriving at Kyoto Station stop at Platforms 5 to 7 and are then transferred to the Mukomachi Operation Center (currently the Kyoto Integrated Operation Center).
Japanese: 京都着の一部列車の中には5～7番線ホームに到着後、向日町運転所（現在の京都総合運転所）へ回送されるものもある。
English: Due to this form of operation, passengers can change trains on the same platform: from Osaka it's convenient to change at Kyoto Station for the train to the Kosei Line, and from the Kosei Line it's convenient to change at Yamashina Station for the train to Osaka.
Japanese: この運転形態のため、大阪方面から湖西線へは京都でホーム対面、湖西線から大阪方面へは山科でホーム対面での乗り換えが可能で、利便性は高い。
English: With the schedule revision of March 2002, the train to the Kosei Line was connected to the special rapid train from Osaka; however, a slight delay in the special rapid train greatly affected the schedule of the Kosei Line, and therefore the schedule was changed in March 2006 (the introduction of a so-called uncongested schedule) in order to have the train to the Kosei Line leave before the arrival of the special rapid train, except for some trains at night.
Japanese: なお、2002年3月改正では、湖西線列車が大阪方面からの新快速と接続するダイヤとなったが、新快速の軽微な遅れによる湖西線への影響が大きかったため、2006年3月のダイヤ改正（いわゆるゆとりダイヤ導入）以降、夜の一部列車を除き新快速の到着前に湖西線が発車するようになった。
English: When a delay occurs on the JR Kyoto Line, the train to the Kosei Line entering track 3 at Kyoto Station often arrives late because of the belated arrivals of inbound trains on the Kyoto Line.
Japanese: JR京都線内で遅延が発生した際には京都駅3番線に到着しようとする湖西線列車が京都線上り列車の乱れを受けて延着することがしばしばある。
English: With the extension of the special rapid service to Tsuruga Station in October 2006, the platforms at Omi-Shiotsu and Shin-Hikida Stations were elevated and the middle track (Platform 4) at Tsuruga Station was shortened to an effective length equal to four cars, whereby the coupling and decoupling of cars has been carried out at Omi-Imazu Station (some trains are managed at Kyoto Station).
Japanese: 2006年10月の新快速敦賀延長では、近江塩津・新疋田各駅のホームかさ上げと敦賀駅中線（4番ホーム）の有効長を4両分のみとしたため、近江今津駅（一部の列車は京都駅で）で列車の分割併合を行うことになった。
English: Therefore, a stop of approximately ten minutes is required, during which time the Limited Express Raicho (train) passes the special rapid train.
Japanese: その作業のため10分前後の停車時間があり、その間に特急雷鳥(列車)待避となる列車がある。
English: It is rare that the limited express train passes the special rapid train, except for one example in which the Limited Express 'Hakuto (train)' passes the special rapid train while the special rapid train is being decoupled at Himeji Station (there is an example that the limited express train passes the special rapid train on the Biwako Line, but this occurs within a quadruple track and the special rapid train doesn't wait for the limited express to pass).
Japanese: 同様の例は姫路駅での分割中に「はくと(列車)」が先発する例があるのみで、新快速が特急待避となることはまれである（琵琶湖線内で特急が新快速を追い抜く例はあるが、複々線区間内のため、通過待ち合わせは行わない）。
English: Because of the time required for stopping for this division and connection, the travel time of the special rapid train between Osaka and Tsuruga stations is ten minutes longer than the initial estimate of 1 hour and 50 minutes (in particular, the travel time of special rapid trains between Kyoto Station and Omi-Nakasho, Makino and Nagahara stations is substantially equal to that of local trains between Kyoto and Nagahara stations).
Japanese: この分割併合に要する停車などのため、新快速の大阪～敦賀間所要時間は当初想定の1時間50分から10分程度延びている（とくに京都～近江中庄・マキノ・永原間の所要時間は、京都～永原間運転の普通と比較してもほとんど大差がない）。
English: Likewise, about ten minutes are required for the special rapid train bound for Omi-Shiotsu and Tsuruga stations via Maibara Station in order to stop for the division and connection.
Japanese: なお同様に米原経由で近江塩津・敦賀に向かう新快速も米原駅で分割併合を行うため10分前後の停車時間がある。
English: Even in the section in which the special rapid train stops at every station to the north of Omi-Maiko Station and Hikone Station, the train runs with the sign 'Special Rapid,' while the timetable includes descriptions of 'Special Rapid.'
Japanese: 新快速は近江舞子駅・彦根駅以北の各駅停車区間でも「新快速」の表示を出し、駅時刻表も新快速と表記されている。
English: In contrast to the rapid train in the Keihanshin area, which becomes 'Local' at Akashi Station and the stations to the west of Akashi Station and Takatsuki Station (Kyoto Station in some time periods) and the stations to the east of Takatsuki Station, the special rapid train remains 'Special Rapid' even when it stops at every station (including Himeji Station and the stations to the west of Himeji Station).
Japanese: 京阪神の快速が明石以西・高槻（一部時間帯では京都）以東で「普通」となるのに対して、新快速は（姫路以西も含めて）各駅停車でも新快速である。
English: This is because the special rapid is kind of branded, and thus it is important for local governments that 'special rapid trains pass' the stations even if they actually stop at every station.
Japanese: これは新快速が一種のブランド化している現象で、地元自治体にとっては実体が各駅停車であっても「新快速が直通する」ことが重要なのである。
English: During the construction of the Kosei Line, Yamashina Station was DC-electrified and Omi-Shiotsu Station was AC-electrified.
Japanese: 湖西線建設当時、山科駅は直流電化されており、近江塩津駅は交流電化されていた。
English: Because of this, electric cars going through to the Hokuriku area on the Kosei Line were limited to cars capable of switching AC and DC thereon, namely AC/DC electric cars such as JNR/JR Limited Express Series 485 and JNR/JR Electric Locomotive Type EF81for AC/DC electric cars.
Japanese: これにより、湖西線を北陸方面に直通する電気車両は車上で交流と直流の切り替えのできるもの、つまり国鉄485系電車などの交直流電車と交直流両用の国鉄EF81形電気機関車電気機関車に限られた。
English: An expensive general AC/DC electric car wasn't introduced as a local train running between the Kosei and Hokuriku areas in which large demand couldn't be expected, and thus a diesel train was operated as a local train between the electrified section: between Omi-Imazu Station and Tsuruga Station before September 1991 (after that, an AC/DC electric car was operated).
Japanese: 需要の見込めない湖西～北陸のローカル列車には高価な一般用交直流電車は投入されず、近江今津～敦賀間の普通列車は電化区間でありながら1991年9月まで気動車で細々と運転されていた（それ以降は交直流電車で運転された）。
English: The line between Yamashina Station and Nagahara Station was DC-electrified, to which a DC electric car entered from Kyoto.
Japanese: 他方、山科～永原は直流電化で建設され、京都方面から直流電車が入っていた。
English: Meanwhile, the Hokuriku Line was AC-electrified and operated with a few local trains; passengers were required to change trains at Maibara Station in order to transfer from the Kohoku area, the northern coastal area of Lake Biwa, to Otsu Station or the Keihanshin area.
Japanese: 一方、北陸線も交流電化のためローカル列車の本数も少なく、湖北と大津や京阪神間の移動には米原での乗り換えが必要であった。
English: In 1986, in the era of the JNR, the Shiga Prefecture and local governments established the 'Alliance for Promoting DC Electrification of the Hokuriku Main Line' at the commerce and industry associations of local cities along the line, and demanded that JNR/JR change the electrification system of the Hokuriku Line for the improvement of convenience; subsequently, in May 1990 the cities of the Kosei area were additionally involved to newly establish the 'Alliance for Promoting the Lake Biwa Loop Line' in order to work on the JR.
Japanese: 滋賀県や地元自治体は国鉄時代の1986年に沿線市町・商工会で「北陸本線直流化促進期成同盟会」を設立し、北陸線の利便性向上には電化方式の変更が必要と国鉄・JRへの要望活動を進め、さらに1990年5月には、湖西の市町も加わり「琵琶湖環状線促進期成同盟会」を新たに発足させ、JRへの働きかけを進めた。
English: Originally, the AC/DC section was between Sakata and Tamura stations, which was transferred to operate between the Nagahama and Torahime stations.
Japanese: もともと実際の交直セクションは坂田～田村間であったので、これを長浜～虎姫間に移設したものである。
English: After the schedule revision of September 1991, and upon the completion of construction, the special rapid train came to run through to Nagahama Station from the Keihanshin area, thus producing economic effects such as an increase in the general population and numbers of tourists.
Japanese: 工事完成による1991年9月のダイヤ改正以降、京阪神からの新快速が長浜まで直通し、観光客の増加と人口増加という経済効果をもたらした。
English: The entry of the special rapid to Nagahama Station brought the area within commuting distance to the Keihanshin area, while the utilization of local resources for tourism, such as Kurokabe Square, resulted in the increase in the number of tourists visiting Nagahama; the construction for DC electrification won the attention of the whole country as a trigger for regional development.
Japanese: 新快速の乗り入れで長浜が京阪神の通勤圏となった一方、黒壁スクエアなど地元の観光資源活性化などが反響を呼んだ結果多くの観光客が長浜へと足を運ぶようになり、街づくりの起爆剤としての直流化工事は全国の注目を浴びた。
English: Likewise, in the Kohoku area, where the line was AC-electrified and thus operated with only a few trains, and a through-train to Maibara Station and stations to the west of Maibara Station didn't exist, 'the special rapid train' gathered momentum; since the transfer among the Kosei and Kohoku areas was inconvenient because of the existence of the AC/DC section and a few through-trains being operated, the construction for the DC electrification was the important challenge for the local governments so as to overcome these problems.
Japanese: 同様に交流電化で列車本数が少なく、米原以西への直通がなかった湖北地区に「新快速の直通を」という機運が高まり、湖西と湖北地区の相互交流も、この交直セクションのために直通電車が少なく不便であったので、これらを解消するためにも直流化工事は地元の重要課題であった。
English: In 1995, the local governments began to reserve fund for construction every year and worked on maintenance around the stations or building of guide signs of sightseeing facilities, thereby promoting the 'Lake Biwa Loop Line Plan.'
Japanese: 1995年からは基金として毎年工事費用を各自治体が積み立てることを始め、「琵琶湖環状線構想」を前進するよう駅周辺整備や観光施設の案内整備に努めた。
English: In reference to the success of Nagahama, Tsuruga City also planned to increase the number of tourists by a through special rapid train and began to work on the achievement of DC electrification with Fukui Prefecture in order to increase the number of through-trains from the Keihanshin area.
Japanese: 一方、長浜の成功事例を参考に、敦賀市も新快速の直通による観光客の増加を目論見、福井県とともに京阪神からの直通電車を増発するためには直流化が必要、と働きかけた。
English: The construction cost has been divided among Shiga Prefecture (the prefecture and the local governments) and Fukui Prefecture (the prefecture and Tsuruga City), since the construction was requested by the locals.
Japanese: 工事は地元の請願という形で、滋賀県側（県と地元自治体）と福井県側（県と敦賀市）がほぼ折半の形で工事費の負担をしている。
English: (The construction cost is 16.1 billion yen, of which Shiga Prefecture bears 7.5 billion yen and Fukui Prefecture bears 6.8 billion yen, while JR West bears 1.8 billion yen for the manufacture of new cars.)
Japanese: （工事費は161億円で、うち滋賀県側が75億円・福井県側が68億円の設備費用分を負担し、JR西日本が車両新製費として18億円を負担している。）
English: In the construction for DC electrification, the dead sections between Nagahama Station and Torahime Station and between Nagahara Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station were transferred to the section between Tsuruga Station and Minami-Imajo Station (between Tsuruga Station and Hokuriku tunnel, Tsuruga exit), and the section on the Hokuriku Line, between Nagahama Station and Tsuruga Station and the section on the Kosei Line between Nagahara Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station were DC electrified, all of which were completed on September 24, 2006.
Japanese: 直流化工事は長浜～虎姫間、永原～近江塩津間にあったデッドセクションを敦賀～南今庄間（敦賀駅～北陸トンネル敦賀口間）に移設し、北陸線長浜～敦賀間、湖西線永原～近江塩津間を直流き電とするもので、2006年9月24日に完成した。
English: With the schedule revision of October 21, 2006, the special rapid train comprised of JR (West) Suburban Train Series 223, DC electric train operation came to Tsuruga Station, while the connection between the Kosei Line and the Hokuriku Line bound for Nagahama Station was improved.
Japanese: 同年10月21日のダイヤ改正で、敦賀までJR西日本223系電車直流電車による新快速が運転され、また湖西線と北陸線長浜方面との接続改善も図られた。
English: The number of special rapid trains was increased to 25 per day, running mainly during the day (17 via Kosei Line and 8 via Biwako Line (Hokuriku Main Line)) to Tsuruga Station by extending the operation from Omi-Imazu Station and Nagahama Station, while 18 special rapid trains came to enter Omi-Shiotsu Station per day (via the Biwako Line and Hokuriku Main Line).
Japanese: 昼間帯を中心に1日25本（湖西線経由17本、琵琶湖線（北陸本線）経由8本）が近江今津・長浜から延長される形で敦賀まで、1日18本が近江塩津（琵琶湖線・北陸本線経由）まで乗り入れるようになった。
English: At Omi-Shiotsu Station, it became possible to change trains on the same platform: during the day from the train bound for Tsuruga Station via Kosei Line, changing for the train departing from Omi-Shiotsu Station to Himeji Station via Maibara Station; and from the train to Omi-Shiotsu Station via Maibara, changing for the train departing from Tsuruga to Himeji via the Kosei Line, thereby improving the connection between the Kohoku and Kosei areas.
Japanese: 近江塩津では、日中に湖西線経由の敦賀行きから近江塩津始発の米原経由姫路方面行きに、また米原経由の近江塩津止めから敦賀発湖西線姫路方面行きに対面乗り換えができるようになり、湖北・湖西間の接続改善がなされた。
English: There is only one special rapid train to Omi-Shiotsu Station via Maibara Station per day, which connects to the special rapid train bound for Tsuruga Station via the Kosei Line at Omi-Shiotsu Station, and the train to Omi-Shiotsu Station subsequently becomes a train bound for Omi-Imazu Station with passengers on board.
Japanese: 近江塩津で湖西線経由敦賀行きの新快速と接続する米原経由の同駅止まり新快速が一日に1例だけあるが、この近江塩津止まりの電車はホームで客扱いのまま近江今津行きとなるものである。
English: Incidentally, the standard travel time of the special rapid train entering the Hokuriku Line is approximately 95 minutes between Tsuruga Station and Kyoto Station via the Kosei Line, approximately 125 minutes between Tsuruga Station and Osaka Station, approximately 145 minutes between Tsuruga Station and Sannomiya Station, and approximately 185-190 minutes between Tsuruga Station and Himeji Station.
Japanese: なお、北陸線に乗り入れする新快速の標準的な運転時分は、湖西線経由で敦賀～京都間で約95分、大阪間で約125分、三ノ宮で約145分、姫路で約185～190分である。
English: Originally there was little local flow between the Kosei area and Tsuruga, whereas there is some local flow between the Kohoku area and Tsuruga; therefore, the special rapid trains departing from and arriving at Tsuruga Station are operated via the Kosei Line during the day and, except for the daytime, the special rapid trains are operated via Maibara Station.
Japanese: もともと湖西～敦賀のローカル流動はほとんどなく、湖北～敦賀の流動はそれなりにあるため、敦賀発着の新快速は昼間は湖西線経由での運転に、それ以外は米原経由になっている。
English: Accordingly, the Tsuruga City is demanding that the JR West increase the number of trains and make an exception for boarding with commuter tickets (see below), but it's not certain whether the demand will be accepted.
Japanese: そのために敦賀市はJR西日本に増発と定期券乗車の特例（下記）を求めているが、実現に関しては不透明である。
English: In the case of travel between Yamashina Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station using a standard ticket, an exception of a specific route section is applied, where a fare based on operating kilometers via the Kosei Line also covers that via Maibara Station; however, a specific route section isn't applied to a commuter ticket and consequently passengers can't use commuter tickets via the Kosei Line (which is cheaper) for travel via Maibara Station.
Japanese: 山科～近江塩津間をまたぐ場合、普通乗車券では湖西線経由の営業キロによる運賃で米原経由にも乗車できる経路特定区間の特例があるが、定期券の場合は経路特定区間が適用されず運賃が米原経由より割安な湖西線経由の定期券では米原経由で利用できない。