 Although the Sawara Line provides an alternative route between Ōnuma and Mori, it is operated as a local line, with all express passenger and freight trains travelling via Ōnuma-Kōen.The Otaru – Sapporo – Takikawa section was electrified in 1968, and extended to Asahikawa the following year with the opening of the 4,523m Kamuikotan tunnel and associated deviation.The 3 km Hakodate – Goryōkaku section was electrified in conjunction with the Seikan Tunnel project in 1988.