Haruka (train)
The is a limited express passenger train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) mainly between Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Dubbed as the "Kansai Airport Limited Express" (関空特急) by JR West, it is the fastest train service connecting the airport with downtown Osaka and Kyoto, and also travels to and from via Kyoto during peak hours. As "Haruka" trains travel over the Umeda Freight Line, they do not serve Osaka Station. A change of trains is required at either or . Operations. There are a total of 30 daily return workings  per direction (30 to the airport, 30 from the airport), with services operating every half an hour through most of the day. A typical travel time between Kyoto Station and the airport takes 1 hour 20 minutes per way. Before the discontinuation of services between Maibara and Yasu, two morning rush hour "Haruka" trains ran from Maibara to the airport, and one morning rush hour trip from Kusatsu. Two evening rush hour "Haruka" trains also ran from the airport to Maibara. Station stops. The "Haruka" primarily operates between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station, with most services stopping only at  Shin-Ōsaka Station and Tennōji Station in Osaka City. Some trains make additional stops (stations in italics in list below). The train travels over the Umeda Freight Line which bypasses Osaka Station when it runs from the Tōkaidō Main Line to Osaka Loop Line and vice versa, leaving no services going to and from Osaka Station. Rolling stock. Formations. 6-car formations. 6-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Maibara/Kyoto end. All cars are no-smoking. 9-car formations. 9-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Kyoto  end. All cars are no-smoking. Ticketing. As a limited express service, the "Haruka" requires both a and a – see train tickets in Japan. The ICOCA card can be used as a fare ticket (for passing the ticket gate) for non-reserved travel, with the limited express ticket purchased from the conductor on board the train. There are no extra charges required for the "Haruka" service for foreign passengers traveling with a Japan Rail Pass. A free public Wi-Fi service is provided in the train. History. The "Haruka" service was inaugurated on 4 September 1994 using 3-car 281  series EMUs. 6-car 281 series sets were introduced from 2 April 1995, and 9-car (6+3-car) formations were introduced from 14 July 1995. Non-reserved cars were introduced from 1 December 1998. The smoking areas were abolished from the start of 18 March 2007 timetable revision. "Haruka" services were suspended on 4 September 2018 due to the effects of Typhoon Jebi causing damage to the airport and the Sky Gate Bridge R being damaged by an empty fuel tanker. Services were restored on 8 September 2018, but could only go as far as Hineno Station due  to the section leading to the airport being cordoned off for repair works. Through services to the airport were completely restored on 18 September 2018. From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020, new 271 series trains were introduced on these services, operating coupled with the existing 281 series sets. From the same date, all "Haruka" services were formed as nine cars, increasing passenger capacity between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto. All trains currently run in a special "Hello Kitty"-themed wrapping since 29 January 2019. However, due to the low passenger demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic  in Japan, services between Maibara and Yasu were discontinued since 13 March 2021. 2023 is the expected opening of new underground platforms at Osaka Station set aside for "Haruka" services.