Although the special rapid train is operated mainly between Omi-Imazu Station and Omi-Shiotsu Station during the morning and evening, some special rapid trains run through to Fukui or Maibara; the operation of rapid trains from the Kosei Line to Osaka during the morning and from Osaka to the Kosei Line is extended to arrive at and depart from Tsuruga Station during the evening.
朝晩は近江今津～近江塩津間の区間運転が主であるが、一部は福井や米原に直通するほか、朝の湖西線からの大阪方面直通と夜の大阪発湖西線快速が敦賀発着に延長されている。