Rapi:t
Rapi:t (ラピート, rapiito, stylized as rapiːt) is a limited express train service between Kansai International Airport and Namba Station in Osaka, Japan. It is operated by Nankai Electric Railway, and the train service uses the Nankai Main Line and the Airport Line. The name comes from the German word meaning rapid, pronounced [ʁaˈpiːt].
 A Nankai 50000 series Rapi:t train in October 2017 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Airport rail link (Limited express) |
| Status | Operating |
| Locale | Osaka Prefecture, Japan |
| First service | 4 April 1994 |
| Current operator(s) | Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. |
| Route | |
| Start | Namba |
| Stops | 4 (α services for Airport) 6 (β services) |
| End | Kansai Airport |
| Line(s) used | Nankai Main Line, Airport Line |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 50000 series EMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC, overhead line |
| Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
The futuristic and retro-style six-car Rapi:t trainsets, officially designated as the Nankai 50000 series, were designed by architect Wakabayashi Hiroyuki and won the Blue Ribbon Prize in 1995, one year after entering service.
Station stops
There are two classes of Rapi:t service. Rapi:t β (beta) takes 37 minutes from Namba to Kansai Airport, stopping at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Sakai, Kishiwada, Izumisano, and Rinkū Town. Rapi:t α (alpha) takes 34 minutes, stopping at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Izumisano, and Rinku Town. All seats are reserved.
4 α trains depart Namba for Kansai Airport on weekday mornings (6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00), and 6 depart Kansai Airport for Namba from 20:00 (2 per hour). β trains depart Namba for Kansai Airport every day, 1 per hour from 7:00 until 10:00 and 2 per hour from 10:00, and 1 or 2 depart Kansai Airport for Namba by 20:00.
- Rapi:t α: Namba Station - Shin-Imamiya Station - Tengachaya Station - Izumisano Station - Rinkū Town Station - Kansai Airport Station
- Rapi:t β: Namba Station - Shin-Imamiya Station - Tengachaya Station - Sakai Station - Kishiwada Station - Izumisano Station - Rinkū Town Station - Kansai Airport Station
See also
- Haruka, limited-express service operated by JR West to Kansai Airport
External links
- Kansai International Airport access - Nankai Railway Official Website in English "How to enjoy Osaka"