Plans are underway to build a new 10-km connecting line (Sotetsu and Tokyu Direct Line) between Hiyoshi Station and Hazawa Yokohama-Kokudai Station. The Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT) will develop and own the facilities, and Sagami Railway and Tokyu Railways will operate on the line. In addition, direct communications between the Sotetsu Line and Tokyu Line will be possible by utilizing part of the new Sotetsu/JR direct line developed by the JRTT and Sagami Railway, which opened in November 2019. The Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line from Hiyoshi Station to Shin-Yokohama Station and the Sotetsu Shin-Yokohama Line from Shin-Yokohama Station to Nishitani Station are scheduled to open in March 2023. Directly connecting the central part of Kanagawa Prefecture and the western part of Yokohama City with the central part of Tokyo, these developments will create a wide-area rail network in the Tokyo metropolitan area and improve access from the Tokyu Line to the Shinkansen (Shin-Yokohama Station). After the new line is opened, customers will be able to reach their destination more comfortably, in less time, and with fewer changes.
Sotetsu and Tokyu Direct Line Shin-Yokohama Station＊ (artist’s impression)
＊The name of the station will be formally decided after the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency, the main station developer, and Tokyu Railways and Sagami Railway, the main station operators, consult with Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City in accordance with the Act on Enhancement of Convenience of Urban Railways, etc and obtain their consent.
Cars of each company that operate interconnected lines
Since March 2013, the Minatomirai Line’s Motomachi-Chukagai Station has been connected to the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Tobu Tojo Line, Seibu Yurakucho Line, and Ikebukuro Line via Yokohama Station and Shibuya Station, offering even greater convenience.
As a result, during peak hours, the journey time of the up train (Yokohama Station to Shibuya Station) on the Toyoko Line has been reduced by approximately two minutes, and access to the city center has been greatly improved as passengers can connect to the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro areas without having to change trains. In March 2017, we also started the S-TRAIN service to the Seibu-Chichibu area, which offers a comfortable and relaxing ride with all seats reservation-only (for a fee).
We are implementing a variety of measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus to ensure passengers’ peace of mind on board.
In order to prevent viral infection through contact, anti-viral and anti-bacterial treatment is applied to areas that customers directly touch. In addition, about four windows per car are opened to ventilate the interior, and posters are displayed inside the vehicles asking for cooperation in opening the windows. In addition, the anti-virus and anti-bacterial treatment of the air conditioning filters of all cars belonging to Tokyu Railways was completed by the end of October 2020 (excluding cars equipped with Nanoe＊).
＊Nanoe is a trademark of the Panasonic Corporation.
Anti-virus and anti-bacterial processing for automatic ticket checkers
As in the interior of the trains, automatic ticket gates, ticket vending machines, elevator buttons, etc. have been treated with anti-virus and anti-bacterial agents. In addition, the water faucets in the station toilets have been replaced to achieve 100%＊ non-contact and automatic faucet replacement.
＊There are no toilets at Higashi-Hakuraku Station, Ebara-Nakanobu Station, Setagaya Line (except for Kamimachi Station), and on the Kodomonokuni Line.
In addition, some of the auxiliary handwash basins and ostomate flushers in the multi-functional toilets have manual faucets.
Oimachi Line Series 6020
The timetable was revised on the Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, Den-en-toshi Line, Oimachi Line, and Kodomonokuni Line in March 2022. On the Meguro Line, we improved the speed of some up-trains during the morning rush hours in conjunction with the completion of a transit waiting facility at Okusawa Station, and on the Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, and Den-en-toshi Line, we shortened the travel time of up-priority trains during the daytime hours. On the Den-en-toshi Line, we increased the number of early-morning semi-express trains to improve convenience. On the Toyoko Line during daytime hours and on the Den-en-toshi and Oimachi Lines, we reviewed the timetables for some sections and time slots in accordance with customer usage trends.
For the purpose of reducing overcrowding and improving convenience, the number of cars belonging to Tokyu Railway are gradually being changed from six-carriage trains to eight-carriage trains from the beginning of April 2022 to raise transportation capacity. The conversion to eight-carriage trains is scheduled to be completed by the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line opening in March 2023 (planned). The platform screen doors for the two additional carriages that will be added with the eight-carriage trains will also be installed at all 13 stations by the time the eight-carriage trains begin operation, and safety measures on the platforms will be implemented.
The Tokyu Line App, an application for smartphones that offers information on the Tokyu Line, provides the latest train operation information, detour route searches in the event of operational disruptions such as suspensions and delays, real-time train running positions, and other information. In addition, as part of our efforts to "visualize congestion," we are enhancing our information distribution to ensure that customers can use trains and stations safely and comfortably by displaying the level of congestion of each train carriage*1, as well as distributing “Ekisi-vision*2," which provides information on conditions around ticket gates, and “Ekisi-vision for Commuter Passes," which show the waiting times at commuter pass sales counters. As a "barrier-free" feature, passengers can check the maps of all Tokyu Lines stations and platforms, the free space and priority seating locations for each carriage on the Toyoko and Meguro Lines, and the status of the steps and gaps between the platforms and the floors of carriages. The "gaps and differences between platforms and floor levels" function allows passengers to check the locations of elevators and platform roofs on the same screen, allowing them to choose more convenient boarding and exiting points.
＊1 Compatible with the Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, and Den-en-toshi Line. On some Den-en-toshi Line trains, real-time congestion levels by train are displayed.
＊2 Supported at all stations except the Setagaya Line and Kodomonokuni Line.
Introduction to Tokyu Line Application functions (Only available in Japanese)
In the event of a delay of 15 minutes or more, the latest operation information is sent via e-mail to subscribers registered on the Tokyu Corporation website, the Tokyu Line App, and the Tokyu Line Operation Information Mail. In addition, large "Information Monitors" installed near ticket gates at each Tokyu Lines station (except some stations on the Setagaya Line) provide prompt and easy-to-understand information about any service interruption and its cause, as well as information on transfer services.
We have completed the construction of barrier-free routes at all 97 stations where steps had to be removed. We are actively working to further strengthen the barrier-free system in order to make railways more accessible to all customers. At Shibuya Station on the Toyoko and Den-en-toshi Lines, near entrances B7 and A6, and at Sangen-jaya and Sakura-shinmachi Stations on the Den-en-toshi Line, elevators have been installed for the second barrier-free route. In addition, escalators have been installed at Hakuraku Station on the Toyoko Line and at Eda Station on the Den-en-toshi Line and are now in operation.
Tactile information board
Braille fare tables are installed at all stations, automatic ticket vending machines and automatic ticket gates with point-blocks are displayed in Braille, and at stations with complicated structures, tactile information boards are installed (some with voice guidance) to provide Braille information on current location and how to find facilities.
Washlet® (Shibuya Chikamichi Lounge)
In order to make the restrooms at stations more comfortable to use, we installed Washlet®＊ toilets at 82 stations by FY 2020, with plans to install them at Meguro and Hakuraku Stations in FY 2021–2022. In addition, all multi-functional toilets are ostomate-accessible, and cribs are available for passengers with children.
＊“Washlet” is a registered trademark of TOTO.
All stations are equipped with Braille fare tables, and there are tactile information boards in station facilities. In addition, we are promoting the installation of audio guidance systems to inform passengers of the location of stairways leading to exits and ticket gates, in accordance with the Barrier-Free Development Guidelines.
All trains are equipped with a space for wheelchairs, and new trains built since 1999 have a lowered floor height to reduce the gap between them and the platform. Trains built since 2007 have introduced two high and low handrails in the wheelchair space, and Series 7000 trains have adopted three-seat cross-seats at both ends of the train to provide space for passengers with baby strollers and other equipment. In addition, all new vehicles built in and since FY 2016 have free usable space.
Wheelchair space
Cross-seat for three people
Baby Stroller mark
The Baby Stroller mark, which was established in March 2014, is displayed in the wheelchair spaces and free spaces provided in the train cars. We will continue to provide safe and reliable facilities and services to create a comfortable environment for families with children.
AED
AEDs are available at all stations except some on the Setagaya Line. (On the Setagaya Line, AEDs are available only at Sangen-jaya, Kamimachi, and Shimo-takaido Stations.)
Toward safe and convenient stations (Only available in Japanese)
In order to provide easier-to-understand information, station numbering has been introduced on various information signs, route maps, and fare tables and is displayed in the color of the route.
Station name signboard
Station numbering
On the Tokyu Line, we have progressively supported public wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) services on platforms and concourses. As a result, in August 2013, Wi-Fi services from various telecommunications carriers, including the three major cell phone companies, became available at all stations except those on the Kodomonokuni Line.
In December 2013, WiMAX service, which enables high-speed Internet communication, became available on all Tokyu lines except the Kodomonokuni Line.
We have introduced the lost-and-found search system, which enables Tokyu Line station attendants to search for lost items in real time by registering data such as the characteristics of the lost item in the system, thereby speedily locating the item.
We have developed bicycle parking lots near stations and under elevated tracks on the Tokyu Line. We are working to improve the environment around stations by increasing convenience and reducing the number of abandoned bicycles.
For details, please visit the following website.
Name tags for qualified employees
We are actively promoting the acquisition of “Service Care Assistants” certification, which enables us to provide user-focused assistance such as walking and wheelchair operation.
The Academy of Railway Technology
The Academy of Railway Technology is open to employees selected from each division of the railway business and is designed to develop staff who can take a bird’s-eye view of technologies outside their area of expertise and initiate cross-sectional initiatives.
Skills competitions in the Rolling Stock Division
Replacement of parts and other components because of failure or deterioration is becoming less common, due to the improved performance of equipment as facilities are upgraded. Consequently, the Engineering Division regularly holds competitions and workshops to strengthen the organization’s technical capabilities, pass on technology from veterans to younger employees, and increase employee motivation.