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is the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo. Tokyo has the most extensive
urban railway network in the world, and an equally extensive network of
surface lines. There are 101 passenger train lines serving Tokyo Prefecture,
and 18 more serving the metropolitan area but not Tokyo Prefecture, for
a total of 119 serving Greater Tokyo. Despite this vastness, the network
is still being expanded. Rail in Japan is often extremely crowded, with
people pushing their way in when completely full, so taking objects such
as a bicycles or wheelchairs (as in Western nations) onboard is not attempted,
and is literally unheard of. Most lines in Tokyo are privately owned and
operated, with the exception of Toei subway lines (run directly by the
Metropolitan government). Rail and subway lines are highly integrated and
dense; commuter trains from the suburbs continue directly into the subway
network on many lines, often emerging on the other side of the city to
serve another company's surface line at major stations. It is estimated
some 20 million people take the 70 plus train and subway lines, and go
through 1000 stations in the metropolitan area daily. Shinjuku Station
is the busiest train station in the world by passenger throughput. |
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