FEBRUARY 1 saw the start of revenue services on the 4·1 km Minatomirai metro line in Yokohama, following a ceremony on January 29. Linking Yokohama station to Motomachi-Chukagai, the line has four intermediate stations. It is worked by a new fleet of Y500 series eight-car EMUs.
Through services are operated in conjunction with Tokyu Railway’s Tokyo line, whose services have been diverted at Higashi-Hakuraku to join the metro tunnel and ceased to run over JR tracks between Yokohama and Sakuragicho with effect from January 30.
Trains run every 7min 30sec off-peak and at 3 min intervals during the peak hours. As well as all-stations local services, there are Express and Commuter Express trains which omit the stop at Shin-takashima, and Limited Express services which call only at Minatomirai.
Journey time between Yokohama and Motomachi-Chukagai is 8 min for a local train and 7 min for the expresses. Through trains from Shibuya station in Tokyo to Motomachi-Chukagai will take 35min.
CAPTION: Inauguration ceremonies for the Minatomirai line were held at Yokohama station on January 29
Photo: Kazumiki Miura
