The Kosei Line between Nagahara Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station, which had been AC-electrified, was DC-electrified on September 24, 2006 as well as the Hokuriku Main Line between Nagahama Station and Tsuruga Station, and the special rapid train running through to Tsuruga Station on the Hokuriku Main Line has been partially operated since October 21, 2006 (described later).
2006年9月24日から北陸本線長浜～敦賀間とともに、交流電化であった湖西線永原～近江塩津間も直流化され、10月21日から一部の新快速が北陸本線敦賀駅まで直通運転している（後述）。