Hitahikosan Line
| Hitahikosan Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 日田彦山線 | ||
| Status | In operation (as a railway between Jōno and Soeda) (as a bus route between Soeda and Yoake) | ||
| Owner | JR Kyushu | ||
| Locale | Kyushu | ||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 23 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Regional rail | ||
| Operator(s) | JR Kyushu | ||
| Rolling stock | KiHa 40 series DMU | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 1899 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 68.7 km (42.7 mi) | ||
| Number of tracks | Entire line single tracked | ||
| Character | Mostly rural with a few urban areas | ||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||
| Electrification | None | ||
| Operating speed | 85 km/h (53 mph) | ||
| |||
The Hitahikosan Line (日田彦山線, Hitahikosan-sen) is a railway line in Japan, operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). It connects Jōno Station in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture with Soeda Station in Soeda, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Prior to 5 July 2017, the line continued from Soeda Station to Yoake Station in Hita, Ōita Prefecture. This section of the line features the 4,380 m (2.72 mi) Shakadake Tunnel between Chikuzen Iwaya and Hikosan station, where a fatal tunnel collapse occurred during construction in 1953, killing 21 construction workers. The line is named after Hita and Mount Hiko.
On 5 July 2017, torrential rainfall from Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol (also known as Typhoon No. 3) resulted in the closure of the section of the line between Soeda and Yoake. The damage was severe and included the destruction of several bridges and parts of the track being washed away.
On 16 July 2020, JR Kyushu formally announced plans to permanently replace the section of railway line with a bus rapid transit (BRT) service. The BRT route, operated by JR Kyushu Bus Company, opened on 28 August 2020 under the name 'BRT Hikoboshi Line' (ＢＲＴひこぼしライン, BRT Hikoboshi Rain)[ja] (also referred to as Hita Hikosan Line BRT).