Chiba_Urban_Monorail_Line_1

Chiba Urban Monorail

Chiba Urban Monorail

Suspended monorail system in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

The Chiba Urban Monorail (千葉都市モノレール, Chiba Toshi Monorēru) is a two-line suspended monorail system located in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is owned and operated by Chiba Urban Monorail Co., Ltd (千葉都市モノレール株式会社, Chiba toshi monorēru kabushikigaisha), a so-called "third-sector" company established on March 20, 1979. Investors include the city of Chiba.

Quick Facts Chiba Urban Monorail 千葉都市モノレール, Overview ...
Chiba Monorail
Legend
 Chibaminato 1 2
 Shiyakushomae (City Hall)
Japanese National Route Sign 0357.svg National Route 357
Japanese National Route Sign 0014.svg National Route 14
Chibakōen
Chiba
Sakusabe
Sakaecho
Tendai
Japanese National Route Sign 0014.svg National Route 14
Anagawa
Yoshikawakōen
Japanese National Route Sign 0016.svg National Route 16
Kenchōmae (Pref.Office) 1
Sports Center
Dōbutsukōen (Zoological Park)
Mitsuwadai
Pref Route Sign 64 jct.svg Prefecture Route 64
Tsuga
Japanese National Route Sign 0051.svg National Route 51
Sakuragi
Oguradai
Chishirodaikita
2 Chishirodai
Quick Facts Native name, Romanized name ...
Route Map

The first segment (Line 2 from Sports Center Station to Chishirodai Station) opened on March 28, 1988, also the rest by March 24, 1999. The PASMO contactless smart card can be used to purchase fares.

It is the world's longest suspended monorail system with a track length of 15.2 kilometres (9.4 mi).[1]

Routes

Line 1

Line 1 connects Chiba-Minato Station and Kenchō-mae Station by a 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) multiple-track route. Operating at 1,500 V DC, trains make four intermediate stops.

Station list

More information No., Station ...

Line 2

Line 2 connects Chiba-Minato Station and Chishiro-dai Station. Operating at 1,500 V DC, trains make 13 intermediate stops on the 13.5-kilometre (8.4 mi) multiple-track route.

Station list

More information No., Station ...

Extension plans

Extensions of Line 1 had been proposed, notably a five-station, 3.4-kilometre (2.1 mi) extension from Kenchō-mae Station to Chiba Municipal Aoba Hospital. However, in 2004 an evaluation committee found that there was no need for the extension, and proposed closing the underused segment from Chiba Station to Kencho-mae Station. There was also a plan to extend the line from Anagawa Station to Inage and Inage-kaigan Station.

On 4 September 2019, Chiba City announced that it had decided to discontinue plans to extend the monorail hospital route, and not to introduce a monorail on the Inage route.[1]

History

  • 1979/03/20 – The company was established.[2]
  • 1988/03/28 – Line 2 between Sports Center Station and Chishirodai Station opened.[2]
  • 1990/09/18 – The total number of passengers reached 10 million.
  • 1991/06/12 – Line 2 opened between Chiba Station and Sports Center Station.[2]
  • 1994/03/07 – The total number of passengers reached 50 million.
  • 1995/08/01 – Line 1 between Chiba Minato Station and Chiba Station opened.
  • 1997/06/17 – The total number of passengers reached 100 million.
  • 1999/03/24 – Line 1 between Chiba Station and Kencho-mae Station opened. At the same time, the running time for Line 2 was shortened by about 10%, and automatic ticket machines were installed at all stations.
  • 2006 – Chiba Prefecture pulls out from funding the monorail due to unsatisfactory ridership numbers.[1]
  • 2006/06/21 – A train collided with the arm of a crane truck working on a sewer line between Sakusabe Station and Chiba-Koen Station on Line 2.
  • 2007/03/19 – The four-car trains that had been in service were discontinued.
  • 2009/03/14 – PASMO introduced.[2]
  • 2012/07/08 – The new trains "Urban Flyer 0-type" began operating.
  • 2019/02/20 – Announced the introduction of station numbering at all stations in anticipation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.[3]
  • 2020/09/09 – A fire broke out when a contractor accidentally cut a cable during substation renewal work, temporarily disrupting service on all lines.
  • 2021/05/31 – The total number of passengers reached 500 million.[1]

Special tickets

  • Holiday Free Pass (ホリデーフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
    • Cost: Adults 630 yen, children 320 yen
    • Valid: All day on the day of purchase.
  • 2-Day Free Pass (2-DAYフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: Two consecutive days. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
    • Cost: Adults 1050 yen, children 530 yen
    • Valid: All day on the day of purchase.
  • Lunchtime Free Pass (お昼のお出かけフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: From 10AM to 6PM on weekdays.
    • Cost: Adults 620 yen, children 310 yen
    • Valid: From 10AM to 6PM on day purchased.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "千葉都市モノレール５億人達成 開業から３３年" [Chiba Urban Monorail reaches 500 million people 33 years after opening]. sankei.com (in Japanese). 5 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-05. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  2. [2]
    曽根, 悟 (2011). 歴史でめぐる鉄道全路線 公営鉄道・私鉄 [All railway lines in history Public railway, private railway] (in Japanese). Vol. 30. Tokyo: Asahi Shimbun.
  3. [3]
    "駅ナンバリングを導入します 2019.02.20" [Introducing station numbering 2019.02.20]. chiba-monorail.co.jp. 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
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