Dumb Question about Kagayaki (Hokuriku Shinkansen)

[Shinkansenrailfan]

Just about ALL the trains on the Tōhoku Shinkansen line are so heavily patronized that between Tokyo and Morioka, reservations are effectively mandatory. Not so sure about the less-patronized line between Morioka and Shin-Aomori, though.

North of Morioka comes a mountainous terrain. Except for places such as Hachinohe , the section is least travelled along the Tohoku Shinkansen. I've taken the Hayabusa before. I remember most passengers left at Sendai and Morioka , and the car was pretty empty.

[westfalen]

When I traveled on a Hayabusa from Shin-Aomori it was practically empty until Morioka.

 

The answer to the reservation issue could be to follow the German example.  The ICE trains have a digital display above each seat showing the stations between which someone has reserved that seat, if the display is blank the seat is vacant for the whole journey.

[Shinkansenrailfan]

When I traveled on a Hayabusa from Shin-Aomori it was practically empty until Morioka.

 

The answer to the reservation issue could be to follow the German example.  The ICE trains have a digital display above each seat showing the stations between which someone has reserved that seat, if the display is blank the seat is vacant for the whole journey.

I think JR East wont really place such a system. Moreover , there are many different Hayabusa/Hayate services going to Morioka every hour. So reservations alone wont be an issue.

[katoftw]

More info to add.  A trains will be covered by the JRPass.

[Guest keio6000]

Sorry for the late and possibly silly (because i havent thought it through enough) question:

 

why are case 8, 9, 10, and 12 not available for passenger use on tsurugi shuttle services but car 11 (a green car - also with disabled access) is? simple demand where there's just not enough passengers to have it worth them spread accross 4 more cars?

Edited February 6, 2017 by keio6000

[bikkuri bahn]

^^

Yes, it's likely a demand issue- use of door cuts allows tailoring pax space to what's needed.  The rolling stock formation is standardized as 12 cars.  Having a uniform fleet allows flexibility when service disruptions occur- e.g. a trainset used for Tsurugi services can be used in a Kagayaki service in a pinch, and all reservation holders will keep their seats.  Also, trainsets can be rotated easily between service assignments, for example, before and after scheduled overhauls.