PRINCIPAL POLICIES OF THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT

PUBLIC ENTERPRISE BUREAUS

Bureau of Transportation

Toei Transportation (Bureau of Transportation) is a local public enterprise operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Metropolitan subway, bus and streetcar systems play an important part in the public transport network of the Greater Tokyo Area and are currently used by around 2.78 million passengers (fiscal 2006) daily.
In February of 2007 the "New Challenge 2007" was formulated as the three-year management plan for FY 2007-2009. As a public transportation agency supporting the lives of Tokyo's citizens and the activities of the city, Toei Transportation is aiming to gain the public's full trust and support.

Transportation in Tokyo

Within the 23 special-ward area, 27.42 million people use public transportation daily. Supporting the movement of these people to and from their destinations is a public transportation network that is comprised of (a) Japan Railway and other private railway company lines connecting the city center with the suburbs, (b) Tokyo Metro and Toei Subways operating primarily in the ward area and (c) other familiar modes of transport such as Toei buses and streetcars, and buses operated by private companies.
Toei Transportation holds a 9.6% share of passenger volume within the ward area.
(Figures are based on fiscal 2004 data.)

Basic Figures of Toei Transportation

Changes in Number of Daily Passengers by Modes of Toei Transportation

Toei Subway

The Toei Subway network consists of the Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo Lines. These four lines operate 106 stations over a distance of 109 kilometers and are used by around 2.16 million passengers daily (fiscal 2006). The Oedo Line, which began operations in 1991, has installed at least one elevator as well as escalators at every station for easy passenger access to street-level exits. On other lines, work on barrier-free access is also proceeding with 78 of the total 106 stations (73%) achieving barrier-free status through the installation of elevators.
Passengers using wheelchairs can purchase fare tickets at specially modified machines and enter through extra wide automatic ticket gates.
In addition, all stations along the Mita Line have platform gates in order to protect passengers from falling onto the tracks. Other passenger safety features at all subway stations include fall-prevention fences at the end of station platforms and textured paving blocks which help guide the visually impaired.

Toei Subway

Toei Bus

Servicing the 23 special-ward area and parts of the Tama area, the Toei Bus system operates 138 routes and is used daily by approximately 560,000 passengers (fiscal 2006). Efforts are being made to increase passenger convenience. For example, in response to delays caused by traffic congestion, the Bus Operational Control System was introduced to inform passengers waiting at bus stops of approximate bus arrival times. Buses are installed with a device designed to automatically assess travel time in order to send information to display boards located at bus stops along the route. Passengers can read these display boards or download information to their computers or mobile phones. The bureau is also making efforts to increase passenger accessibility and reduce impact on the environment. A total of 970 low step buses and 161 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses are currently in operation, and strong efforts are underway to introduce bio-diesel fuel and other environmentally friendly measures.

Toei Bus

Toei Streetcars

Toei streetcars operate along the Arakawa Line which runs between Minowabashi and Waseda. There are 30 stops along the line's 12.2 kilometers length and 53,000 passengers utilize it daily (fiscal 2006). The streetcars continue to operate today because residents along the line have voiced their desire for their continuance, due to the facts that the streetcars run on exclusive tracks with minimal disruption to vehicular traffic, and there is no viable alternative to the present system. In 2007 new cars were put into operation for the first time in 14 years. The new 9000-series cars are outfitted in a "retro" theme and Minowabashi station was also renovated in an early "Showa" era (1926-1989) style.
In addition, all cars have a specially designated space for wheelchairs, platforms have no steps and renovations are underway to make the system barrier-free. The bureau is also working hard to reduce environmental load through such efforts as the introduction of more energy efficient cars.

Toei Streetcars (retro type)