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Tokyo Monorail

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Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line
File:Tokyo Monorail logo 2018.svg
A train passing through Tennōzu in Shinagawa
Overview
Native name東京モノレール羽田空港線
OwnerTokyo Monorail Co., Ltd.
LocaleTokyo, Japan
Termini
Stations11
WebsiteTokyo Monorail
Service
TypeStraddle-beam Monorail
Daily ridership134,895 (2017, average)[1]
History
OpenedSeptember 17, 1964 (1964-09-17)
Technical
Line length17.8 km (11.1 mi)
CharacterElevated and underground[2]
Minimum radius120 m (390 ft)
Operating speed
  • 45 km/h (28 mph) (average)
  • 80 km/h (50 mph) (top)
Route diagram

Legend
JK JY to Shimbashi and Tokyo
 Monorail Hamamatsuchō
JK JY A E
JK JY to Tamachi and Shinagawa
Tennōzu Isle
R
Ōi Keibajō Mae
Ryūtsū Center
Shōwajima
Seibijō
Tenkūbashi
KK
 Haneda Airport Terminal 3
Haneda Airport KK
 Shin Seibijō
Haneda Airport Terminal 1
Haneda Airport KK
 Haneda Airport Terminal 2
Haneda Airport KK
This diagram:

The Tokyo Monorail (東京モノレール, Tōkyō Monorēru), officially the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line (東京モノレール羽田空港線, Tōkyō Monorēru Haneda Kūkō sen), is a monorail line in Tokyo, Japan. An airport rail link, it connects Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) to Tokyo's Ōta, Shinagawa, and Minato wards. The 17.8-kilometer (11.1 mi) line serves eleven stations between the Monorail Hamamatsuchō and Haneda Airport Terminal 2 stations, operating on a mostly elevated north–south route that follows the western coast of Tokyo Bay. It is one of two rail lines serving the airport, with the other being the Keikyū Airport Line. At Hamamatsuchō Station, passengers may transfer to the Keihin–Tōhoku and Yamanote lines of JR East, as well as the Asakusa and Ōedo lines of the Toei Subway via nearby Daimon Station. The monorail also connects to Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit's Rinkai Line at Tennōzu Isle Station.

History

Background and planning

By the time Japan's commercial aviation industry recovered in the years following World War II, Tokyo International Airport, or Haneda Airport, emerged as the country's largest transport hub and international gateway. In 1959, with about 910,000 total passengers using the airport and many more expected for the coming 1964 Summer Olympics, a plan for a central Tokyo-to-airport rail link was unveiled. Opposition to the rail line had briefly countered with a proposal to extend the Tokyo Expressway instead, but fears that this would only worsen congestion led to a preference for rail. Established in 1960, the Japan Elevated Railway Co., Ltd., later the Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd., selected an Alweg-type monorail as the preferred mode. This was due to two factors. First, the company's president, Tetsuzo Inumaru, had been friends with Dr. Axel Wenner-Gren, the founder of Alweg. Second, Hitachi, Ltd., which would build the line, was keen on further developing the technology.[3]: 9 

Project planners originally intended the monorail line to extend from Haneda Airport to Shimbashi or Tokyo Station,[4] and a license had been acquired to build it up to either station.[5]: 3  However, opposition from residents living near the Shibaura Canal, which had been part of the proposed route,[6] as well as cost overruns during the construction of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, which drained government subsidies, resulted in a shortened route from Hamamatsuchō Station. To further minimize costs, the monorail was erected over other public waterways donated by local municipalities, which eliminated the need to acquire expensive private land, but reclaimed parts of Tokyo Bay, as well as rivers and canals. The resulting construction removed a number of fishing and aquatic farming operations, and local fishing cooperatives had their licences revoked by the city government. Among them was a seaweed harvesting field in Ōta Ward that had produced a premium brand of nori since the Edo period called Omori no nori.[4]

Construction and opening

The Ministry of Transport authorized the monorail project in December 1961.[3]: 9  Actual construction of the line progressed rapidly. Work began on May 1, 1963,[7]: 248  and it opened on September 17, 1964, ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony on October 10.[8] The line cost a total of 21.1 billion yen (equivalent to approximately $60 million in 1964 dollars[9]), of which 20 billion yen was spent for construction and 1.1 billion yen on rolling stock.[3]: 9  Hitachi built the first-generation cars in Japan, which were inspired by the original Alweg design also used in the Seattle Center Monorail and the original Disneyland Monorail. Upon its inauguration, the Tokyo Monorail became the world's first commercial monorail and Japan's first airport rail connection.[10][11] At the time of opening, the monorail ran a total length of 13.1 kilometers (8.1 mi) and served only its termini: Hamamatsuchō Station and the airport. Most of the artificial islands in Tokyo Bay had not yet been reclaimed, and the alignment mostly ran over water.[12] The price for a one-way ticket was 250 yen,[13][14] which was relatively more expensive than other available options at the time. It was notably cheaper to take a taxi with four people to the airport than to ride the monorail. A recession following the Olympics resulted in a decrease in airport arrivals, which severely affected ridership. In 1966, Tokyo Monorail was forced to reduce the price of the fare to 150 yen to attract more passengers.[12]

Infill stations and expansions

Construction of Haneda Airport International Terminal Station in 2009

The first intermediate station added to the monorail was Ōi Keibajō-mae in May 1965. It had been built on the water along the coast as a temporary station, operating only on days when an event was taking place at Ohi Racecourse. The current, permanent station opened in June 1967.[12] The next station that followed was Seibijō in 1967.

When the monorail began operation, the passenger terminal at Haneda Airport was located on the west side of the airfield, south of Seibijō, and this was the southern terminus of the monorail. Upon the opening of the new passenger terminal (now Terminal 1) in 1993, the monorail was extended to a new platform, and the former passenger terminal was razed to make room for an extension of Runway B. The now-unused monorail tunnel leading to the old station was leased from the Transport Ministry and therefore had to be restored to its original state prior to its handover. Although the rails were removed from the tunnel and its entrance walled off, the tunnel remains otherwise intact today below the extension of Runway B.[15]

A single-station, 0.9-km extension to Haneda's new Terminal 2 opened on December 1, 2004, and the opening of a passing loop at Showajima allowed express services from March 18, 2007. A new infill station to serve the airport's new International Terminal was opened on 21 October 2010.

The Tokyo Monorail serves eleven stations and operates from around 5:00 a.m. to midnight with over 500 trains. It carried its 1.5 billionth passenger on January 24, 2007.[16]

Route

Service patterns and stations

A monorail train running alongside Shuto Expressway, shown in 2010

The following three service types operate on the line:

  •   Haneda Express (空港快速, Kūkō Kaisoku)
  •   Rapid (区間快速, Kukan Kaisoku)
  •   Local (普通, Futsū)

Tokyo Monorail trains operate on an average headway of four minutes, which can be as short as three minutes and 20 seconds during peak hours.[5]: 2 [17]: 33  Local trains stop at every station, with end-to-end travel taking 24 minutes. Rapid trains bypass the Shōwajima, Seibijō, Tenkūbashi, Shin-Seibijō stations, and take 21 minutes to travel across the line. Haneda Express trains make non-stop runs between Monorail Hamamatsuchō and Haneda Airport; these trains arrive at Haneda Airport International Terminal in thirteen minutes, Haneda Airport Terminal 1 in 16 minutes, and Haneda Airport Terminal 2 in 18 minutes.[18]

Key
● Stops at this station
| Does not stop at this station
No. Name Japanese Distance (km) Haneda Express Rapid Local Connections and notes[18]
MO01 Monorail Hamamatsuchō モノレール浜松町 0.0 ● ● ● JR East JK Keihin–Tōhoku and JY Yamanote lines; Toei A Asakusa and E Ōedo lines via Daimon Station
MO02 Tennōzu Isle 天王洲アイル 4.0 | ● ● R Rinkai Line
MO03 Ōi Keibajō-mae 大井競馬場前 7.1 | ● ●
MO04 Ryūtsū Center 流通センター 8.7 | ● ●
MO05 Shōwajima 昭和島 9.9 | | ●
MO06 Seibijō 整備場 11.8 | | ●
MO07 Tenkūbashi 天空橋 12.6 | | ● KK Keikyū Airport Line
MO08 Haneda Airport International Terminal 羽田空港国際線ビル 14.0 ● ● ● KK Keikyū Airport Line
MO09 Shin-Seibijō 新整備場 16.1 | | ●
MO10 Haneda Airport Terminal 1 羽田空港第１ビル 16.9 ● ● ● KK Keikyū Airport Line
MO11 Haneda Airport Terminal 2 羽田空港第２ビル 17.8 ● ● ● KK Keikyū Airport Line

Rolling stock

Services are operated using six-car 1000 and 2000 series trains, running at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Each car has a combination of aisle-facing bench seats, forward and rear-facing seats, and seats in the center of the aisle. The trains also feature extra space for hand luggage, as a convenience for air travelers. These trains are stored and maintained at Shōwajima Depot beside Shōwajima Station during off-service hours. The 1000 series trains were introduced from 1989, and the 2000 series trains were introduced from 1997.[19]

From 18 July 2014, the first of a fleet of new 10000 series 6-car trains was introduced, replacing the older 1000 series trains.[19][20]

  • A 1000 series set, February 2009
    A 1000 series set, February 2009
  • A 2000 series trainset, May 2006
    A 2000 series trainset, May 2006
  • A 10000 series set, July 2014
    A 10000 series set, July 2014

Former rolling stock

Former rolling stock once used on Tokyo Monorail include the 100/200/300/350 series (from 1964 until 1978), 500 series (from 1969 until 1991), 600 series (from 1977 until 1997), and 700/800 series (from 1982 until 1998).

Operations

The line is operated by the Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. (東京モノレール株式会社, Tōkyō Monorēru Kabushiki-gaisha). JR East acquired a majority share in the company in 2002, currently owning 79%; the remainder being divided between Hitachi (12%) and All Nippon Airways (9%).

Tokyo Monorail was originally one of the first "private" railways to use JR East's Suica fare card system. The Monorail is now fully integrated with both Suica and the new Pasmo fare card.

The first departure towards the airport leaves at 04:58 and the last departure is at 00:01. Towards Hamamatsuchō, the first departure is at 05:11 and the final departure is at 00:05 (final departure serving all stations at 23:38).

Passengers can ride the Tokyo Monorail with a JR Pass.[21]

Airport access

Passengers using the monorail to travel to the airport can take advantage of check-in facilities at Hamamatsuchō. Japan's domestic airlines (JAL, ANA, Skymark Airlines, and Air Do) have check-in counters and ticket machines right at the station. Tokyo Monorail tickets can also be purchased on the lower level of Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Itami Airport (also in Osaka), as well as Naha Airport in Okinawa and departure gate area at Hiroshima Airport.

An alternative to the monorail is the Keikyu Airport Line between the airport and Shinagawa Station. Both railways compete with bus services.

Future extensions

In June 2009, Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd., formally notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of its intent to convert the present single-track terminal at Hamamatsucho, which had rested unchanged since 1964, into a dual-track, dual-platform structure. To be built in six and a half years at an estimated cost of 26 billion yen, this would increase the line's capacity from 18 to 24 trains per hour and lay the groundwork for a long-mooted extension to Shimbashi Station.[22] In August 2014, it was revealed that the line could be extended from Hamamatsucho to Tokyo Station, running alongside the Yamanote Line tracks between Shimbashi and Tokyo. Total costs are estimated at 109.5 billion yen, with construction taking approximately ten years.[23][24]

See also

References

  1. ^ 会社概要 [Company Profile] (in Japanese). Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Case Study: Heavy Duty Performance, Tokyo Monorail" (PDF). Hitachi Rail. 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Whiting, Robert (October 24, 2014). "Negative impact of 1964 Olympics profound". The Japan Times. p. 14. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Tokyo Monorail, Company Profile" (PDF). Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ Kusamachi, Yoshikazu (March 25, 2018). 東京モノレール、なぜ浜松町発着？　北への延伸は「幻」に終わるか [Why does Tokyo Monorail end at Hamamatsuchō? Will the north extension remain a "vision"?]. Norimono News. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 5, 2019 suggested (help)
  6. ^ Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. Corporate History Editorial Committee (September 2014), 東京モノレール50年史 1964-2014 [Tokyo Monorail 50 Years History 1964-2014] (in Japanese), Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd.
  7. ^ Terada, Hirokazu (January 19, 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.
  8. ^ "Tokyo monorail wins its comeback fight". Business Week. No. 2131–2139. McGraw Hill. 1970. p. 56.
  9. ^ "Tokyo Monorial Service Opened". Railway Gazette: 793. October 2, 1964.
  10. ^ "Tokyo monorail opened". The Railway Magazine. No. 763. November 1964. p. 862.
  11. ^ a b c 東京モノレール50年　車窓から見た湾岸開発史. Nihon Keizai Shimbun (in Japanese). September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 5, 2019 suggested (help)
  12. ^ Kamizawa, Hiroyuki (14 February 2015). （東京五輪物語）浜松町-羽田モノレール開通 空港まで15分、突貫工事 [(Tokyo Olympics Story) Hamamatsucho–Haneda Monorail opens, airport in 15 minutes, construction rushed]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  13. ^ 東京モノレール開業 [Tokyo Monorail Opens]. Mainichi Shimbun. September 17, 1964. Archived from the original on June 7, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ Naoki Kuwayama, 丸の内線・都営浅草線・そしてモノレールの謎
  15. ^ "1.5 billionth rides monorail to Haneda". The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  16. ^ Yamaguchi, Takuma; Nishino, Toru; Ueki, Naoji; Hirano, Syuji (2014). "Development of 10000 Series Rolling Stock for Tokyo Monorail" (PDF). Hitachi Review. 63 (10): 33–37. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Timetables / Fares / Access Information". Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  18. ^ a b 東京モノレール開業５０年　新型車両、車内は「和風」　２６年導入. MSN Sankei News (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-09-12. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  19. ^ 指原莉乃が出発進行！東京モノレールに新型車両、「和」デザイン [New Tokyo Monorail train with "Wa" design seen off by Rino Sashihara]. Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Japan: Sports Nippon Newspapers. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  20. ^ "JR Pass".
  21. ^ "東京モノレール／浜松町駅を複線化／事業費２６０億円、東京駅延伸も視野" [Tokyo Monorail: Double-tracking of Hamamatsucho Station - Project cost 26 billion yen, extension to Tokyo also eyed]. The Daily Engineering & Construction News. Japan: The Nikkan Kensetsu Kogyo Shinbun. 24 June 2009.
  22. ^ 東京モノレールが「終点・東京駅」構想 [Plans for Tokyo Monorail to terminate at Tokyo Station]. News 24 (in Japanese). Japan: Nippon Television Network Corporation. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  23. ^ "Tokyo Monorail plans to extend". Railway Gazette. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019.

Further reading

  • L.W. Demery, R. Forty, R. DeGroote and J.W. Higgins, Electric Railways of Japan (Interurbans- Tramways-Metros) Vol.1: Tokyo and Northern Japan. Light Rail Transit Association, 1983.
  • Kusamachi, Yoshikazu (June 2009). 再発見!! モノレールの魅力 [Rediscovering the fascination of monorails]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 49, no. 578. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 114–118.
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