Limited express

In public transport, a limited express is a special express train or bus service that makes fewer stops (hence “limited”) than local, limited-stop, and regular express services along the same corridor. Limited expresses are typically the most direct service on a line, serving only major destinations such as central and interchange stations, making them the fastest option for inter-city travelers.

Japan

The term "limited express" is a common translation of the Japanese compound noun tokubetsu kyūkō (特別急行); lit. 'special express', most often abbreviated tokkyū (特急), although some operators translate the word differently.

Limited express trains can be categorized into two types, intercity and commuter, although railway companies rarely formalize this distinction. The former type of trains generally use long-distance coaches, better equipped than other ordinary express trains, and may include reserved seating, dining cars, food and beverage cars, and "green cars" (first-class cars). The latter type usually incurs no surcharge, but seating tends to be first-come, first-served, as this type of train uses commuter train coaches. Both types of trains travel faster and stop at fewer stations than "express" (急行 kyūkō) or "local" (普通 futsū or 各駅停車 kaku-eki teisha) services.

Until 1972, the Hikari on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen was officially a chōtokkyū (超特急) "super express" (lit. 'beyond limited express') and was priced higher than the Kodama, the limited express service on the same line. Presently, all Shinkansen services are officially limited expresses, but are referred to as "super express" in English.

The table below summarizes limited express services on major Japanese railways (Japan Railways Group companies, Toei Transport, and the 16 major private railways, minus Tokyo Metro which does not operate limited express trains).