With the privatization to JR, many trains (as follows) started going through to Kyoto Station: the overnight train service bound for Kyushu, which was departing from and arriving at Shin-Osaka; the limited express starting from Tennoji Station for Nanki; and the limited express 'Hakuto,' bound for Sanin district, which started operation with the establishment of Chizu Express Co., Ltd., thus generating a dramatic increase in the number of trains running in this section.
JR化後に新大阪発着であった九州への寝台特急や、天王寺始発だった南紀方面の特急、また智頭急行開業で運行を開始した山陰への「はくと(列車)」などが新たに京都まで直通運転されるようになり、この区間の特急の列車本数は飛躍的に増えた。