Semboku Rapid Railway Co., Ltd. (泉北高速鉄道株式会社) is a company managing the commercial distribution center and the Semboku Rapid Railway in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It was formerly known as third-sector company Osaka Prefectural Urban Development Co., Ltd. (大阪府都市開発株式会社) until June 30, 2014. Osaka Prefectural Urban Development and its subsidiary company were called the OTK Group (OTKグループ) together.

Business summary

The main purpose of the company that most are familiar with is the operation of the Semboku Rapid Railway in southern Osaka Prefecture. The railroad starts at Nakamozu Station on the Nankai Kōya Line and ends at Izumi-Chūō Station. During the 1960s, the Osaka Prefectural government planned a route link to Semboku New Town, one of many planned communities at the time of the post-war boom. The Nankai Electric Railway was to undertake the total planning, construction and operation of the new route, but because Nankai had several large accidents in the later half of that decade, Japan's national railroad safety board forced Nankai to purchase new rolling stock and start restoration track and wayside equipment. Because of the required sudden investment, Nankai stalled on the Semboku line's construction timetable. The Osaka prefectural government, using an existing third sector company, stepped in to undertake the new railway's construction and operation. In addition to this, the original business as a logistics distribution center management body is still in operation. There are currently two truck terminals under its management in the following locations: On July 1, 2014, the share of the company owned by the prefectural government was transferred to Nankai Electric Railway and the company joined the Nankai Group.

Future plans

Owing to ongoing financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Semboku Rapid Railway announced that it would be merged into Nankai Railway. The merger is planned to take place on April 1, 2025.

Railroad route

Subsidiary companies