The line also transports spectators when Formula One World Championship Japanese Grand Prix is held at Suzuka Circuit (1987–2006, 2009 onward).

However, usage was sluggish and the line operated with a deficit due to the initial single track limiting the number of services to 7 round trips for local plus 3 round trips for Limited Express Services daily.

In 1987 the line was transferred to the Ise Railway Co. At the time of conversion, the only train exchange facility was at Tamagaki Station therefore it was decided that the section between Kawarada and Nakaseko was to be double-tracked to increase transport capacity.

In 1993, the track between Kawarada and Nakaseko was doubled which increased the transport capacity to 55 round trips per day.

The cost of construction for double-tracking between Kawarada-Nakaseko (12.8 km (8.0 mi)) was 2.05 billion yen, of which Ise Railways paid 430 million yen while the rest was paid by the national government, Mie Prefecture, and the local government along the line.