Osaka
is, after Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan''s third largest city with almost 3
million inhabitants. The city opened its first subway line (Midosuji-Line - the first public metro in Japan) on 20 May 1933 between Umeda and Shinsaibashi.
Most lines run along main streets and were built by the cut-and-cover
method at low depth. Currently the seven subway lines have a total
length of 113.5 km with 110 stations. Apart from the seven
subway lines, which cross the city like a grid network, and the new
tram serving the waterfront, there are several suburban rail services
operating in the metropolitan area, among them the Loop Line (21.7 km)
which connects all subway lines. Like in other Japanese cities, some
routes are also used by suburban rail lines. Line 1 (Midosuji-Line) Esaka - Nakamozu 24.5 km, 20 stations, 9-car trains, on the surface north of Nishi Nakashima (includes Yodo river crossing) Line 2 (Tanimachi-Line) Dainichi - Yaominani 28.1 km, 26 stations, 6-car-trains Line 3 (Yotsubashi-Line) Nishi-Umeda - Suminoekoen 11.4 km, 11 stations, 5-car trains Line 4 (Chuo-Line) Osakako - Nagata 15.5 km, 13 stations, 6-car trains, elevated between Bentencho and Osakako Line 5 (Sennichimae-Line) Noda-hanshin - Minami-Tatsumi 12.6 km, 14 stations, 4-car trains Line 6 (Sakaisuji-Line) Tenjinbashisuji-6-chome - Tengachaya 8.5 km, 10 stations, 6-car trains Line 7 (Tsurumi-ryokuchi-Line) Kadoma-Minami - Taisho 13 km, 16 stations, 4-car trains Line 8
has been under construction since March 2000 and is scheduled to open
in 2006. The line runs north-south in the east of the city. Stage 1 is
12.1 km long and commences at Imazato (connection to Line 5), then it runs north to Midoribashi (Line 4), Shigino (for JR Gakkyu-toshi Line), Gamo-4-chome (Line 7) and Sekime (for Line 2 and the Keihan Main Line). Via Koichi and Shimizu it meets Line 2 again at Taishibashi-Imaichi, before crossing the river and arriving at Toyosato. All station names are liable to change. Nanko Port Town Line (New Tram) - automatic elevated pneu light metro - Suminoekoen - Nakafuto OTS Nanko Technoport Line - Osakako - Nakafuto 3.7 km, including a 2.2 km underwater rail/road tunnel Osaka Monorail
(23.8 km - 16 stations) - runs like a semicircle line along the
northern suburbs of Osaka and also serves Osaka''s Domestic Airport. It
intersects with the subway at Dainichi, Line 2''s eastern terminus. |