Astram Line

Astram is an automatic track-guided transport system in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The name Astram is a combination of the Japanese word asa ( morning) and the English tram.

The Astram line is 18.4 km long, of which extend 1.9 km ( 3 stops) in the inner city underground, the rest on stilts. The terminals are Hondori (本通り) and Koiki - Koen -mae (広 域 公园 前). To drive the total of 21 stops, needed 37 minutes. It is operated by the Hiroshima Rapid Transit Co. Ltd..

Technically, it is a track-guided train on rubber tires, which are supplied from side-mounted pantographs with 750 V DC. The trains have 6 cars. Similar systems have been built in several other cities of Japan.

Further expansion

An extension is planned, this runs from Koiki - Koen -mae in the district Asa in southern direction. The first section is 6.2 km long, the second, which will connect the Astram with the main railway station, 5.4 km. This is underground at the Peace Avenue. Another underground extension of 1.4 km along the Hondori Street towards the former University of Hiroshima is to be built in the future.