The line had been competing over higher speeds with the Tokaido Main Line in order to attract passengers, but since the late stage of the Japan National Railway the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line had been left behind in speed competitions owing to JNR's intensified investment in speeding up and developing new types of rolling stock, and after the privatization of Japan National Railway, the Tokaido Main Line increased the number of stops, for example by making the special rapid train stop at Takatsuki Station, while maintaining its velocity; therefore, the Hankyu Kyoto Line also had to change its policy to increase the number of stops in between as a means to attract passengers.
東海道本線とは当初から互いにスピード競争を行って乗客獲得競争を行っていたが、国鉄末期以降はスピードアップや新型車両投入により、スピード競争では敗北し、さらにJR化後は新快速を高槻駅に停車させるなど、スピードを維持したまま停車駅を増やしたため、阪急京都線も途中駅にこまめに停車して集客する方法に方針転換する。