Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is rail enthusiasts paradise, home to one of the worlds most complex and confusing public transport systems. Rail services in the city are operated by these major operators:
- East Japan Railway Company - operator of most of the surface suburban lines in Central and Greater Tokyo
- TOEI Subway - Transportation Bureau of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Subway Lines, approximately half the subway network
- Tokyo Metro Corporation - a joint venture company between the Japanese National Government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government, operators of approximately half the subway network
In addition to this there is a number of other privately operated railways, either operating on their own rights of way or over parts of either the TOEI or Tokyo Metro Subway Lines. The largest of these operators is the Keisei Electric Railway and the Keio Corporation's lines.
On the street, the majority of local bus services are also operated by TOEI, as is the sole remaining tram line, the Toden Arakawa Line.
Fares are distance based and are approximately ¥200-300. TOEI's bus fares are ¥200 at the time of writing. Most commuters use either a Suica or one of the new PASMO smart cards which have the advantage of free transfers between lines with no common fare zone connecting the platforms and also to buses. Pasmo has the advantage of being accepted on all modes and companies operating in the Kanto area whereas the Suica was originaly for use just on East JR lines, but since the Pasmo introduction its usage has been expanded to more operators.
Information on this page compiled with the assistance of UrbanRail.Net and Wikipedia.
Photo Gallery
TOEI Buses & Trams
Tokyo Subway (Tokyo Metro & TOEI)
JR East
Other Private Rail Operators (Keio, Kesei & Tokyu)
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