The Kirishima Express high-speed bus service resumed operations between Kumamoto and Kagoshima on Aug. 8 [1].
The resumption restores a critical transport link on the island of Kyushu after the Kumamoto earthquake damaged surrounding roads and sections of the Kyushu Shinkansen. The bus service provides a necessary alternative for travelers while rail services remain limited.
According to the operator, the service currently runs one round-trip per day [2], consisting of one outbound and one return journey. Each bus has a maximum capacity of 70 passengers [2].
Demand for the service was immediate. A spokesperson for the bus operator said the first day of service was full [1], and seats for Aug. 9 were nearly full [1].
The journey between the two prefectures takes approximately five and a half hours [1]. One passenger said they traveled by bus after hearing the service had restarted [1].
Repairs and route adjustments were required before the service could return to the road. The suspension had left a gap in regional connectivity, particularly for those unable to use the damaged rail network.
“The first day of service was full”
The return of the Kirishima Express highlights the ongoing reliance on road infrastructure to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on Japan's rail network. While the limited frequency of one round-trip per day suggests a cautious restart, the immediate capacity issues indicate a high latent demand for non-rail transit between Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
