Kitakyushu Monorail Explained

Kitakyushu Monorail
Locale:Kitakyushu, Japan
Type:Straddle-beam monorail
Linelength:8.8km (05.5miles)
Open:9 January 1985
Routes:1
Stations:13
Daily Ridership:31,700
Operator:Kitakyushu Urban Monorail Co. Ltd.
Map State:collapsed

The is a monorail system in the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, operated by, which is wholly owned by the Kitakyushu municipal government.

The is the only line. It runs the 8.8 km (5.5 mi) between Kokura station and Kikugaoka station in Kokura Minami ward in about 18 minutes. It was opened on January 9, 1985, between the station now called Heiwadori and Kikugaoka, and at the time was the first monorail in the world with high level platforms and trains with floors entirely above the bogies.[1] [2] This increased available floor space and now all but one of Japan's surviving Alweg monorails have high level platforms and employ podium-free trains.[3] [4] This line was extended about 300 metres (1000 ft) to Kokura station from Heiwadori on April 1, 1998.

The monorail is owned by the city of Kitakyushu, and did not begin to make a profit until the extension to Kokura station was completed. This had been resisted by the businesses in Uomachi shopping district who feared they would lose customers, but that did not happen.

Once a year, there are beer and wine parties held on the monorail, with bookings made in advance. Santa Claus boards the train on December 24.[5]

Stations

No.Station NameJapaneseDistance (km)TransfersLocation
Between
Station
Total
Distance
01小倉-0.0
    Kokurakita-ku
    Kitakyūshū
    Fukuoka Prefecture
    02平和通0.40.4
    03旦過0.30.7
    04香春口三萩野0.91.6
    05片野0.82.4
    06城野0.83.2Kokuraminami-ku
    Kitakyūshū
    07北方1.04.2
    08

    (University of Kitakyushu)
    (Kokura Racecourse)

    競馬場前

    (北九州市立大学前)
    (小倉競馬場)

    0.74.9
    09守恒0.85.7
    10徳力公団前0.96.6
    11徳力嵐山口0.77.3
    12志井0.98.2
    13企救丘0.68.8 Hitahikosan Line

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Pedersen . Kim . Kitakyushu Monorail - a Photo Essay . The Monorail society.
    2. Web site: Metro of Kitakyushu . Mapa-Metro.
    3. Web site: Pedersen . Kim . Monorails of Japan . The Monorail Society.
    4. Web site: Karisher . Richard . Hitachi-Alweg history . The Alweg Archives.
    5. News: サンタ列車に笑顔 北九州モノレール 子どもたちにプレゼント . 4 July 2024 . Nishinippon Shimbun . December 25, 2018.