Limited express

A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.

Japan

The term "limited express" is a common translation of the Japanese compound noun ; literally "special express"; often abbreviated as . Although some operators translate the word differently, this section is about ''tokubetsu kyūkō'' trains in Japan regardless of the translation by the operators. This term also includes terms with ''limited express'' in them, such as .

There are two types of limited express trains: intercity and commuter. The former type of limited express trains generally use long-distance coaches, equipped better than other ordinary express trains, including reserved seating, dining cars or food and beverage carts, and "green cars" (first class cars). The latter type of limited express train usually incurs no surcharge, but seating is usually first-come, first-served, since this type of train uses commuter train coaches. Both types of trains travel faster and stop at fewer stations.

Until 1972, the ''Hikari'' on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen was officially a , that is, "beyond limited express" or "super express", and was priced higher than the '' Kodama'', the limited express on the same line. Presently all Shinkansen services are officially limited express, but are usually referred to as "super express" in English.

The table below summarizes the limited express on major Japanese railways (JR Group, Toei and 16 major private railways minus one major private railway that does not operate limited express, which is Tokyo Metro).

Australia

In Australia, particularly in Melbourne, selective commuter trains often skip smaller stations during peak hours, primarily for the purpose of more efficient delivery of passengers to interchange stations or higher- patronage stations. In Brisbane and Sydney, limited stop services are formed by commuter trains that run as limited stops or express services from the city centre to the edge of the suburban area and then as all stops in the interurban area (an example of such an express pattern can be seen on the Gold Coast line).

New Zealand

In the era of steam-hauled provincial expresses, limited express services were common on highly trafficked routes. The '' Night Limited'' was the premier express train on the North Island Main Trunk Railway between Auckland and Wellington from 1924 until 1971; during peak seasons, it was augmented by the ''Daylight Limited''. Following the ''Night Limited'' was a slower unnamed express that stopped at more stations and provided a lower level of comfort.

A different pattern was employed on the Main South Line. The ''South Island Limited'' express ran three days a week from Christchurch through Dunedin to Invercargill, with a slower regular express operating on the other four days. Both regular and limited expresses were augmented by additional services between intermediate destinations, such as an evening railcar between Christchurch and Dunedin operated by the 88 seater or Vulcan classes.

Limited expresses were rare beyond the main trunk routes and the regular provincial expresses were typically augmented with even slower mixed trains. However, when the '' Rotorua Express'' schedule was accelerated in 1930 and its carriages upgraded, it was rebranded as the ''Rotorua Limited''. Due to the Great Depression and rising car ownership levels, it did not achieve the level of success intended, thus in 1937 it reverted to the status and service pattern of a regular express.

After the demise of the ''Night Limited'' and the ''South Island Limited'' in 1971, the term "limited express" fell into disuse in New Zealand and has not been applied to any subsequent trains. However, from 1971 to 1979, the '' Silver Star'' performed the role of a limited express as it operated to a faster schedule than a supplementary slower service that was known from 1975 as the '' Northerner''.

, Auckland Transport introduced limited express services on the Onehunga Line. These services operate until 7:30 PM on weekdays, bypassing Parnell, Remuera and Greenlane stations.

Philippines

There were trains under the Manila Railroad Company and the Philippine National Railways that were called "Limited Express" or simply "Limited", as well as ''Special'' and ''Express'' trains that nonetheless stopped at fewer stations. The first of such services were introduced in the 1950s and peaked in the 1970s. They only stop at major stations along the two intercity main lines in Luzon unlike regular expresses. They were given the highest priority, dedicated rolling stock, and the highest level of comfort and amenities.

The North Main Line had the ''Ilocos Special'' and the ''Amianan Night Express'' that ran between 1973 and 1984, then the fastest services in the PNR and stopped at fewer stations compared to the ''Dagupan Express''. Meanwhile, the second ''Bicol Express'', opened in 1954, only stopped at 8 out of 66 stations of the line between Tutuban station in downtown Manila and Legazpi station in Albay