The was a limited express train service for commuters on the Chūō Rapid Line operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The train operated on weekdays only. All seats were reserved on this train.
Prior to 16 March 2019, this train operated as the Chūō Liner (中央ライナー), which was a limited-stop reserved-seat "Home Liner" service. Since 16 March 2019, the Chūō Liner had been upgraded to limited express status and become known as the Hachiōji.
Service outline
As Hachiōji
Morning
Hachiōji 2: Hachiōji to Tokyo Hachiōji 4: Hachiōji to Tokyo
Evening
Hachiōji 1: Tokyo to Hachiōji Hachiōji 3: Tokyo to Hachiōji Hachiōji 5: Tokyo to Hachiōji Hachiōji 7: Tokyo to Hachiōji Hachiōji 9: Tokyo to Hachiōji Hachiōji 11: Tokyo to Hachiōji
As Chūō Liner
Morning
Chūō Liner 2: Hachiōji to Tokyo Chūō Liner 4: Takao to Tokyo
Evening
Chūō Liner 1: Tokyo to Takao Chūō Liner 3: Tokyo to Takao Chūō Liner 5: Tokyo to Takao Chūō Liner 7: Tokyo to Hachiōji Chūō Liner 9: Tokyo to Takao
History JR East announced a new timetable revision which took effect from March 2019 onwards. It announced the discontinuation of the Chūō Liner and the Ōme Liner, which was replaced by two new limited express services, the Hachiōji (はちおうじ) and the Ōme (おうめ) respectively. The Hachiōji operates in a similar pattern as the former Chūō Liner, with two Tokyo-bound trains during the morning rush, and six Hachiōji-bound trains during the evening rush. With this, a new ticketing system is now implemented, in which limited express tickets can be purchased in advance, unlike the Liner tickets which can only be bought on the day of boarding.
However, as the Green Car service will be commenced on the commuter trains of Chūō and Ōme lines, another timetable revision which took effect from 15 March 2025 was announced. In this revision, the Hachiōji and Ōme limited express services were discontinued after 6 years of operation.
Rolling stock
Current rolling stock
E353 series (since 16 March 2019)
Past rolling stock 183 series 9-car EMUs (from 16 March 1991 to 16 March 2008) E351 series 12-car EMUs (from 15 March 2008 to 16 March 2018) E257 series 9- or 11-car EMUs (from 1 July 2002 to 15 March 2019)
Formations
Current formation
Hachiōji E353 series
Past formations
Chūō Liner E257 series ←Tokyo/ShinjukuHachiōji/Takao→12-34567891011ReservedReserved-ReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReGrnReservedReservedReserved
Chūō Liner E351 series ←Tokyo/Shinjuku Hachiōji→1Reserved2Reserved3Reserved4Reserved-5Reserved6Reserved7Reserved8Reserved9Green10Reserved11Reserved12Reserved
See also Ōme (train), formerly Ōme Liner, a similar limited express service List of named passenger trains of Japan
References JR Timetable, March 2008 issue "2008 年3 月ダイヤ改正について" JR East Hachiōji Branch news release, 20 December 2007