Hakodate line is also used
... between Hakodate and Goryōkaku by Esashi line trains.
... between Sōen and Sapporo by Sasshō line trains.
... between Sapporo and Shiroishi by Chitose line trains.

Data on Local trains on the Otaru - Asahikawa section is shown briefly in "Frequency per section" below the traffic pattern.

Data on Local trains on the Hakodate - Otaru section is shown above in the traffic pattern section.

Local trains originating between Otaru and Teine continue either
- on Hakodate line, terminating in Sapporo, Ebetsu, Iwamizawa, Takikawa and Asahikawa or
- on Chitose line, terminating in Chitose, Shin-Chitose Kūkō (Airport), Tomakomai and Higashi-Muroran.

The line is used only for northbound, descending trains. All northbound trains except trains serving Oshima-Ōno and Niyama uses this line.
The length is not included in official statistics, as it is considered as a "double track" for the main Hakodate line between Nanae and Ōnuma.