Wednesday 21 March 2018

Public Transportation in the Waterfront Area

EMU Tokyo Monorail 1000 series travels in the waterfront area of Tokyo Metropolis

Tokyo is a super-high density city. More than 30 million people live in this small metropolitan area. It has been spreading into the suburbs, underground, air and sea. There are many reclaimed lands on Tokyo Bay. What is the public transportation like in this newly created waterfront area?

Firstly, the railway is the main transportation artery. The JR East Keiyo Line plays an important role in the eastern part of the waterfront area. It was fully opened in 1990, connecting Tokyo and Soga in Chiba Prefecture.

Secondly, AGT (Automated Guideway Transit) is also important in the central part of the waterfront area. The Yurikamome Line was opened in 1995, connecting Shimbashi and Ariake. It was later extended to Toyosu, a newly developed residential quarter.

Thirdly, the Monorail is a traditional transportation mean. The Haneda Line of Tokyo Monorail Company was opened in the western part of the waterfront area in 1964, connecting Hamamatsucho and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). The track was mainly constructed on the canals in the reclaimed lands. 

Please don't forget one more public transportation mean. It is a water bus. Currently, at least three companies operate several routes in the waterfront area. They have unique boats to attract passengers. A newly established Urban Launch has a small boat. Connecting Shibaura, Odaiba and Toyosu, the company operates seven services per day. The route is located mainly on the canals, rivers and the coastal part of Tokyo Bay.

Mini-travel in the waterfront area is an excellent attraction in Tokyo.

A water bus travels in the waterfront area of Tokyo Metropolis