With the opening of the Hokkaidô Shinkansen (Shin Aomori - Shin Hakodate Hokuto) on March 26, 2016, through passenger services over the 1067 mm gauge line between Aomori and Hakodate ended (freight services continue over the 1067 mm gauge line). Up to that date trains running northward were taken over by JR Hokkaidô at Kanita (and vice versa by JR East when running southward). Local electric services to Kanita remain.