A fully autonomous elevated railway system operated by a Hitachi Ltd. unit partially opened in Honolulu late last month, raising hopes it will enhance convenience for tourists and ease the area's notorious traffic congestion.
The initial 17-kilometer portion of the Skyline, the first driverless commuter railway in the United States and first passenger rail service on Hawaii's Oahu island in 76 years, connects nine stations from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium.
The railway will eventually be expanded to connect 19 stations, including Daniel K. Inoue International Airport in Honolulu and Civic Center station near the Hawaii state capital's city council building, according to Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.
The opening of the whole line, which will allow passengers to travel around 30 km in roughly 40 minutes, is set for 2031, it said.
The island had been without a full-fledged passenger train service since 1947.
"Today's opening of Skyline begins truly a transformative era for Hawaii," Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said at the opening ceremony held on June 30, calling the launch a "historic occasion."
Hitachi said group firm Hitachi Rail Ltd.'s role in the project includes manufacturing passenger train cars, designing and constructing fire detection, alarm and other subsystems, as well as operating and maintaining the system.
It has delivered a fleet of 20 four-car trains, each with a capacity of up to 800 passengers, the Tokyo-based conglomerate said. The trains feature ample space for bicycles, surfboards and baby strollers, it said.
"I came to Hawaii looking forward to riding the first train," said Ryo Nishimura, an engineer from Tokyo. "I am paying attention to safety as a Japanese company has manufactured it."
There is also a plan to extend the line to connect to Ala Moana Center, a popular shopping center for tourists, but the outlook remains uncertain due to financial and other challenges, HART said.
