RECOMMENDATIONS for improving rail services in the Tokyo region were submitted to Japan’s transport ministry on January 27. They include new suburban lines and subway routes and construction of key links to open up more through routes on both suburban railways and the metro network by 2015. Cost of implementing all the plans would be around ´7500bn.
High on the list of proposals is a further cross-city link between Tokyo Ueno and Central stations. This would allow JR East trains to run through from the Tohoku and Joban lines beyond Ueno to Central, so avoiding a change for passengers destined for the central business area.
Another plan would see a loop line built in Yokohama to link business and industrial areas with the port. n
