New Fukutoshin subway line plagued with trouble for 1st three days

This isn't going to get better in a hurry...they're crazy trying to merge 3 different train lines onto a single track, with trains arriving every 2 minutes at peak morning rush. One late train and the whole network bungs up. And then they're trying to run express trains at the same time...

Well it's not uncommon for disruptions to occur during the first few days after opening. I'm quite confident the problems will be resolved within a few days. However, why do Japanese train and subway companies keep constructing these older design trains? Feels like being stuck in the 80s for ever and it's absolutely not functional. One solution to congestion problems would probably be to use 2 stories trains (like in many cities) with modern design. Another solution is the creation of fully automatic lines. A good example of what it could look like is the new automatic subway lines in European cities (line 14 in Paris, etc...).

I took this train on Saturday, it was stop/start all the way to Shibuya. Hopefully the service will improve soon, but for the time being I'll stick with the Tobu-tojo and Yamanote lines.

One solution to congestion problems would probably be to use 2 stories trains (like in many cities) with modern design

In theory, yes, it seems like a good idea, but I'm not so sure it would work. It takes longer to get on and off a double-decker train, so that would require more stop time at each station, making the trains slower.

And think of all the JR people pushers that would be out of work. You can't push people into a train with a staircase. It would be too dangerous.

Altria is right. The trouble mentioned here made me late for work on Monday, and a helluva a lot of other people as well.

Doesn't Meitetsu Line in Nagoya have 3-4 lines coming in once it reaches Nagoya Station? I remember doing rush hour there are there were trains coming in every 90-120 seconds or so.

All you folks taking the new line quit complaining. You'll be basking in the benefit of avoiding Yamanote Line in the mornings soon enough. Some of us have to take a line that is affected by accidents that happen 100 kilometers away (RE: Tokaido Line affecting Shonan-Shinjuku and Saikyo Lines). sigh

papasmurfinjapan, I agree with your comment. However, the most important parameter here is the number of passengers the line can carry per hour. Even if stopping time is longer and trains are slowler, using double-decker trains might contribute to globally increase traffic. Concerning JR pushers, get rid of them, as well as 50% of useless employees. I am surprised that no lines so far (except minor ones) are automatic. International experience shows that automatic lines are more secure, more punctual and can handle passenger flow much more efficiently (the trafic algorithm computes transit time and decides for the time to stop at each station for all the line). Japanese trains and subways are clean and punctual, but they are definitely backwards technologically speaking and less than stylish (but this is another debate).

Piglet

A double decker subway? We are talking about subways here right?...

For Meitetsu at least 4, The airport shuttle (new train express and a old banger that stop at every combini on the way), the Toyohashi terminus, a local line and some another (toyokawainari I think).

Don't remember having or reading about any problem...

Thanks Coligny. I never had any delay problems using Meitetsu Line either. But then again, I only use it about 50 times a year. :-)

Piglet You make some good points, but they are not applicable in an urban area like Tokyo. First of all, double deckers require larger tunnels, and there is already little space underground in Tokyo. The Fukutoshin Line tunnel actually passes within 10cm of another subway line tunnel at one point. As for fully automatic lines, they are practical when they are isolated from other lines. However, most subway lines in Tokyo are interconnected with surface lines and the complex flows and different signalling systems of the respective railway companies requires human control.

I gave it a test drive. No problems when I rode it.

Good to see Blinky turned up for the opening and then made himself scarce as S hit the F. And this guy reckons he can organize the Olympics?

<strong>Moderator: Please do not refer to Ishihara as Blinky. Such derogatory names lower the level of discussion.</strong>

"they're crazy trying to merge 3 different train lines onto a single track"

Toei (the other subway operator in Tokyo does it), you can see, Keikyu, Keisei, Shinbayama Railway and of course actual Toei Asakusa Line trains running through service on the Asakusa line.

Lots of subway lines in tokyo are merged into train-lines.

that's why things should be run by computers and not people. also hire a bunch of people at 900 yen an hour, and that's what you get.

Another solution is the creation of fully automatic lines.

You mean like the Oedo line?

No complaints about the Tokyo metro. Compare it to commuting in London, where these kinds of problems are an everyday given. And where escalators remain broken for a year, and where some subway stations even CLOSE on public holidays! Tokyo will sort their problems within the next few days.

efftta> no I mean, lines that run automatically, without train driver. As an example, I previously indicated line 14, in Paris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Métro_Line_14 It is controlled by OpenVMS Operating System. I think I would be feasible to run the subway portion of the lines automatically. Then, when train merge with existing railway lines, it could of course be under the supervision of a driver. On another topic, I always thought that trains and subways in Japan have no sense of design and style whatsoever. Even new trains look like coming from the 80s period. Anyway, contrary to many posts here, it is clear that a big proportion of the current employees in train and subway companies (like many other companies in this country) are not really necessary.

man oh man am I glad I have a 20-25min leisurely drive to work 99% of the time, the other 1% is when I hit the big smoke, you all enjoy the summer maddness now ys hear!