The Tokyo Underground Railway is probably the fastest and the most high tech way to travel to bypass Tokyo's labyrinthine roads. The Tokyo Underground is famous for it's punctual trains, courteous service, efficient traffic handling and high level of cleanliness. The Tokyo Subway is run by two private agencies - The Tokyo Metro Company Limited and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation or Toei . The Tokyo Metro Company Limited has a greater area of operation while the Toei operates mainly commuter lines.
The main Tokyo Underground Routes are-
- Orange Ginza Line
- Red Marunouchi Line
- Grey Hibiya Line
- Blue Tozai Line
- Green Chiyoda Line
- Yellow Yurakucho Line
- Purple Hanzomon Line
- Emerald Green Namboku Line
- Brown Fukutoshin Line
The Tokyo Underground Stations are equipped with automated vending machines. The train fares are calculated according to the distance to be covered. The minimum fare is ¥110. Passengers have the option of paying the minimum fare when boarding the train and paying the difference at the end of the ride. The Vending Machines dispense tickets of different denominations and as well as for different routes. Prepaid fare cards called Passnet Cards, IO Cards and a Smart Card called the Suica, are also available and can be used on all subways and private lines in Tokyo. Cards are available in denominations of ¥1,000, ¥3,000, and ¥5,000.
Passengers can buy the following types of tickets are available on the Tokyo Underground Railway -
- Regular Tickets
- Student Railway Pass
- Commuter Railway Pass
- Coupon Tickets
- One-Day Open Ticket
- Tokyo Metro All-Line Pass
- Group Tickets
The Tokyo Underground Service is remarkable for its high levels of customer service. There are Service Managers at every station and efficient Customer Relations Centers which assist passengers with various transit issues. The Tokyo Metro introduced the modern commuting railroad cars, unique Women only cars and open excursion tickets to travelers out to enjoy Tokyo sights.
Some important Tokyo Subway Stations are-
- Ikebukuro Station
- Kita-Senju Station
- Otemachi Station
- Ginza Station
- Akasaka-mitsuke Station
- Hibiya Station
- Kasumigaseki Station
- Kudanshita Station
- Nagatacho Station
- Omotesando Station
- Tameike-Sanno Station
- Yotsuya Station
The
Tokyo Underground operates from 5:00 am to 1:00am. The trains arrive at intervals of five to ten minutes; during peak hours, the train arrives every three minutes.
