Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Explained

Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
Other Name:C
Linenumber:9
Type:Heavy rail rapid transit
System:Tokyo subway
Native Name:東京メトロ千代田線
Locale:Tokyo
End: (Main line) / (Branch)
Stations:20
Daily Ridership:1,447,730 (2017)[1]
Mapcolor: Green (#)
Operator:Tokyo Metro
Depot:Ayase, Yoyogi
Stock:Tokyo Metro 16000 series
Tokyo Metro 05 series (for Kita-Ayase Branch Line)
Odakyu 4000 series
Odakyu 60000 series MSE
JR East E233-2000 series
Tracks:Double-track
Electrification: (overhead line)
Speed: (-
(-Ayase)
Minradius: (Main line)
(Branch line)
Signalling:Cab signalling, Closed block
Trainprotection:New CS-ATC, ATO
Maxincline:3.5%
Map State:collapsed

The is a subway line owned and operated by Tokyo Metro in Tokyo, Japan. On average, the line carries 1,447,730 passengers daily (2017), the second highest of the Tokyo Metro network, behind the Tozai Line (1,642,378).[2]

The line was named after the Chiyoda ward, under which it passes. On maps, diagrams and signboards, the line is shown using the color green, and its stations are given numbers using the letter "C".

Overview

The 242NaN2 line serves the wards of Adachi, Arakawa, Bunkyō, Chiyoda, Minato and Shibuya, and a short stretch of tunnel in Taitō with no station. Its official name, rarely used, is . The Chiyoda Line was built as a bypass for the older Hibiya Line, with both lines following a similar route and having direct interchanges at three stations. Trains have through running onto other railway lines on both ends. More than half of these are trains to the northeast beyond Ayase onto the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Joban Line to . The rest run to the southwest beyond Yoyogi-Uehara onto the Odakyu Odawara Line to .

Services on the Kita-Ayase branch consist of a combination of shuttle services to Ayase and through services to Yoyogi-Uehara.[3]

The Chiyoda Line has direct interchanges with all other Tokyo Metro and Toei lines with the exception of the Toei Oedo Line. However, Yushima Station is located relatively close to Ueno-okachimachi Station on the Oedo Line without being marked as an official transfer between the lines.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, as of June 2009 the Chiyoda Line was the second most crowded subway line in Tokyo, at its peak running at 181% capacity between and stations.[4] In 2016 congestion was reported at 178%.[5] In both fiscal years 2021[6] & 2022[7] the congestion rate had dropped to 139%, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Basic data

New CS-ATC

Metro Morning Way, Metro Homeway and Metro Hakone

Metro Morning Way and Metro Homeway and are fully reserved seat commuter trains operating between Hon Atsugi on the Odakyu Odawara Line and Kita-Senju on the Chiyoda Line using 60000 series MSE Romancecar trains. These services require a seat reservation as well as payment of the Limited Express fee. Tickets can be purchased online or at ticket vending machines or ticket counters at Odakyu stations.[8] [9] Travel wholly within the Chiyoda Line is not permitted.[10]

As of July 2024, on weekdays there are 2 Metro Morning Way services to Kita-Senju arriving 07:53 & 09:40, and there are 5 Metro Homeway services departing Otemachi hourly between 17:30 & 21:30 of which only the 18:30 departure commences from Kita-Senju at 18:14. On weekends and holidays there is one Metro Morning Way service to Kita-Senju arriving 09:46 and 2 Metro Homeway services departing Kita-Senju at 19:35 & 20:35.

Metro Hakone is a similar service operating in the counter-peak direction between Kita-Senju and Hakone-Yumoto on the Hakone Tozan Line to serve visitors to Hakone, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours. On weekdays there is 1 trip in each direction, departing Kita-Senju at 09:47 and arriving back at Kita-Senju at 16:46. On weekends and holidays there are 3 trips in each direction: departing Kita-Senju at 08:33, 10:37 & 15:22, arriving back at Kita-Senju at 12:47, 18:21 & 19:53.

Station list

StationJapaneseDistance (km)Limited
Express
TransfersLocation
Between
stations
From C-01
Through-services to/from via the Odakyu Odawara Line ; limited express Metro Morning Way/Metro Home Way to/from via the Odakyu Odawara Line ; limited express Metro Hakone to/from via the Hakone Tozan Line ; limited express Metro Enoshima to via the Odakyū Enoshima Line
代々木上原[11] -0.0[12] Odakyu Odawara LineShibuya
代々木公園1.01.0|| Odakyu Odawara Line |-|| (Harajuku)|明治神宮前| style="text-align:right;" |1.2| style="text-align:right;" |2.2| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||
表参道0.93.1Minato
乃木坂1.44.5|| |-|||赤坂| style="text-align:right;" |1.1| style="text-align:right;" |5.6| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||| |-|||国会議事堂前| style="text-align:right;" |0.8| style="text-align:right;" |6.4| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" |||| rowspan="6" |Chiyoda|-|||霞ケ関| style="text-align:right;" |0.8| style="text-align:right;" |7.2| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" |●||-|||日比谷| style="text-align:right;" |0.8| style="text-align:right;" |8.0| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||||-|||二重橋前| style="text-align:right;" |0.7| style="text-align:right;" |8.7| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||
大手町0.79.4
新御茶ノ水1.310.7|||-|||湯島| style="text-align:right;" |1.2| style="text-align:right;" |11.9| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" || Bunkyō
根津1.213.1|| |-|||千駄木| style="text-align:right;" |1.0| style="text-align:right;" |14.1| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||| |-|||西日暮里| style="text-align:right;" |0.9| style="text-align:right;" |15.0| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" ||Arakawa
町屋1.716.7|||-|||北千住[13] [14] | style="text-align:right;" |2.6| style="text-align:right;" |19.3| style="text-align:center; background:pink;" |●|| rowspan="2" |Adachi|-|||綾瀬| style="text-align:right;" |2.6| style="text-align:right;" |21.9|| style="white-space:nowrap" ||-| colspan="8" align="center" |↓ Through-services to/from, and via the Joban Line (Local) ↓|-|||北綾瀬| style="text-align:right;" |2.1| style="text-align:right;" |24.0|| | rowspan="1" |Adachi|}

Rolling stock

, the following train types are used on the line, all running as ten-car formations unless otherwise indicated.[15]

Tokyo Metro

Odakyu

JR East

  • E233-2000 series (x19) (since summer 2009)

Former rolling stock

  • 6000 series (x35) (from 1971 until November 2018)
  • JNR 103-1000 series (x16) (from 1971 until April 1986)
  • JR East 203 series (x17) (from August 27, 1982 until September 26, 2011)[20]
  • JR East 209-1000 series (x2) (from 1999 until October 13, 2018)
  • JNR 207–900 series (x1) (from 1986 until December 2009)
  • 5000 series 3-car trains (x2) (from 1969 until 2014, later used on branch line)
  • 6000 series 3-car train (x1) (prototype of the series built in 1968 until 2014, used on branch line)
  • 06 series (x1) (from 1993 until January 2015)[21]
  • 07 series (x1) (September 2008 – December 2008)
  • Odakyu 1000 series (1988–2010)
  • Odakyu 9000 series (1978–1990)

History

The Chiyoda Line was originally proposed in 1962 as a line from Setagaya in Tokyo to Matsudo, Chiba; the initial name was "Line 8". In 1964, the plan was changed slightly so that through service would be offered on the Joban Line north of Tokyo, and the number was changed to "Line 9".

Line 9 was designed to pass through built-up areas in Chiyoda, and also intended to relieve the busy Ginza Line and Hibiya Line, which follow a roughly similar route through central Tokyo.The first stretch was opened on December 20, 1969 between and . The line was almost completed by October 10, 1972 when it reached, although the section to was not completed until March 31, 1978.

The branch line to was opened on December 20, 1979. This branch primarily serves as a connection to Ayase Depot, but also serves Kita-Ayase Station constructed in the area. A three-car shuttle service operated between Ayase and Kita-Ayase.

The Chiyoda Line was one of the lines targeted in the Aum sarin gas attack on March 20, 1995.

On May 15, 2006, women-only cars were introduced on early-morning trains from on the Joban Line to .

On March 18, 2008, the Chiyoda Line became the first subway line in Japan with operations by reserved-seating trains when Odakyu Romancecar limited express services began running between Kita-Senju and (on the Hakone Tozan Line) and (on the Odakyu Tama Line). Trains also run from/to using tracks connecting to the Yurakucho Line.

On March 16, 2019, 10-car trains commenced operation on the branch line to Kita-Ayase station after platforms were lengthened by 135m, allowing direct services from Kita-Ayase to Yoyogi-Uehara.[22]

Notes

a. Crowding levels defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:[23] [24]

100% — Commuters have enough personal space and are able to take a seat or stand while holding onto the straps or hand rails.

150% — Commuters have enough personal space to read a newspaper.

180% — Commuters must fold newspapers to read.

200% — Commuters are pressed against each other in each compartment but can still read small magazines.

250% — Commuters are pressed against each other, unable to move.

References

  • Book: Shaw. Dennis. Morioka. Hisashi. Tokyo Subways. 1992. Hoikusha Publishing.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.train-media.net/report/1110/metro.pdf Tokyo Metro station ridership in 2010
  2. http://www.train-media.net/report/1110/metro.pdf Tokyo Metro station ridership in 2010
  3. Web site: 23 July 2024 . Timetable . live . 23 July 2024 . Tokyo Metro.
  4. Metropolis. Commute. June 12, 2009. 7. March 9, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111009000444/http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/794/page2.asp. October 9, 2011. dead. Capacity is defined as all passengers having a seat or a strap or door railing to hold on to.
  5. Web site: So You Think Your Commute Is Tough? Check Out Japan's Top 10 Most Crowded Commuter Trains! LIVE JAPAN travel guide . 2024-07-23 . LIVE JAPAN . en.
  6. Web site: Japan: busiest main railway lines in Tokyo 2021 . 2024-07-23 . Statista . en.
  7. Web site: Japan: busiest railway lines 2022 . 2024-07-23 . Statista . en.
  8. Web site: モーニングウェイ&メトロモーニングウェイ|ロマンスカー|小田急電鉄 . Morning Way & Metro Morning Way . live . 2024-07-24 . www.odakyu.jp.
  9. Web site: ホームウェイ&メトロホームウェイ|ロマンスカー|小田急電鉄 . Home Way & Metro Home Way|Romance Car|Odakyu Electric Railway . live . 2024-07-24 . www.odakyu.jp.
  10. Web site: Romancecar Timetables - Odakyu Railway: Connecting Shinjuku, Hakone and Enoshima . 2024-07-26 . Odakyu Railway: Connecting Shinjuku, Hakone and Enoshima - . en-US.
  11. Yoyogi-Uehara is shared by both Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyo Metro; Odakyu Electric Railway manages the station.
  12. Limited express services stop at Yoyogi-Uehara to change drivers and conductors, but passengers may not board or disembark at this station.
  13. Kita-senju and Ayase are shared by both JR East and Tokyo Metro; Tokyo Metro manages both stations.
  14. Between Kita-senju Station and Ayase Station, the Chiyoda Line uses JR East's Joban Line (Local) fare system.
  15. Book: ja: 私鉄車両編成表 2015 . Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2015 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 23 July 2015 . Japan . ja . 74–75. 978-4-330-58415-7.
  16. Tokyo Metro. 環境配慮型の新型車両16000系 千代田線に導入決定!!. Environmentally friendly new 16000 series trains to be introduced on Chiyoda Line. December 21, 2009. December 22, 2009. ja.
  17. 東京地下鉄千代田線用05系 . Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line 05 series. Japan Railfan Magazine. 54. 640. 67–70. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. August 2014.
  18. Web site: 東京メトロ千代田線への新たな直通運転用車両 新型通勤車両「4000形」 2007年9月デビュー. https://web.archive.org/web/20070207013413/http://www.odakyu.jp/program/info/data.info/2353_8862142_.pdf. February 7, 2007. New direct drive vehicle to Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line New model commuter vehicle "4000 form" Debuted in September 2007. February 5, 2007. ja.
  19. Web site: 新型ロマンスカー・MSEの製造を決定 2008年春 東京メトロ線内初の座席指定制特急の乗り入れを開始. https://web.archive.org/web/20070218143357/http://www.odakyu.jp/program/info/data.info/1993_6852248_.pdf. February 18, 2007. Decided to manufacture the new Romance car · MSE; Initiation of the first seating designation express train in the Tokyo Metro line in the spring of 2008. ja. September 20, 2006.
  20. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2011/09/28/152700.html. ja:203系が営業運転から離脱. 203 series withdrawn from revenue service. 28 September 2011. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 28 September 2011.
  21. Web site: http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2015/08/06.html. ja: 東京地下鉄06系、新木場へ. Tokyo Metro 06 series moved to Shinkiba. 13 August 2015. RM News. Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 28 September 2015.
  22. Web site: Metro Report International . 25 March 2019 . Chiyoda Line branch runs through . 2024-07-23 . Railway Gazette International . en.
  23. Web site: 混雑率の推移.
  24. Web site: Tokyo plans new effort to ease commuter hell on rush-hour trains . Daisuke . Kikuchi . 6 July 2017 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20170706120354/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/06/national/tokyo-plans-new-effort-ease-crowding-rush-hour-trains/ . 6 July 2017 . live.