Sapporo Municipal Subway

Sapporo Municipal Subway
Overview
Native name 札幌市営地下鉄
Sapporo-shiei-chikatetsu
Locale Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Transit type Rubber-tyred metro
Number of lines 3
Number of stations 49
Operation
Began operation December 16, 1971
Operator(s) Sapporo City Transportation Bureau
Technical
System length 48.0 km (29.8 mi)
Electrification 750 V DC third rail (Namboku LIne)
1,500 V DC overhead catenary (Tozai and Toho lines)
System map
Map of Sapporo Municipal Subway

The Sapporo Municipal Subway (札幌市営地下鉄 Sapporo-shiei-chikatetsu) is an underground rubber-tyred metro system in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau.

Lines

The system consists of three lines: the green Namboku Line (North-South line), orange Tozai Line (East-West line), and blue Tōhō Line. The first, the Namboku Line, was opened in 1971 prior to the 1972 Winter Olympics. The Sapporo City Subway system operates out of two main hubs: Sapporo Station and Odori Station. Most areas of the city are within a reasonable walking distance or short bus ride from one of the subway stations.

The three lines all connect at Sapporo Station with the JR Hokkaido main lines. At Odori and Susukino stations, it connects to the streetcar (tram) above. The system has a total length of 48 km with 46 stations.

Color & icon Mark Name First section
opened		 Last ex-
tension		 Length Stations
green N Namboku Line 1971 1978 14.3 km (8.9 mi) 16
orange T Tōzai Line 1976 1999 20.1 km (12.5 mi) 19
sky blue H Tōhō Line 1988 1994 13.6 km (8.5 mi) 14
Total: 48.0 km (29.8 mi) 49

Technology and rolling stock

Sapporo Subway guide rail and flat steel roll ways

All lines of the subway use rubber-tired trains that travel on two flat steel roll ways, guided by a single central rail. This system is unique among subways in Japan and the rest of the world; while other rubber-tired metro networks use guide bars, the Sapporo system does not because the central rail makes them superfluous (similar to some guided buses, such as the Translohr).

This technology was specifically developed for the Sapporo Municipal Subway to provide a smoother and quieter ride due to various track conditions caused by the climate of the region. Because of this, trains built for the system cannot be used anywhere outside it and vice versa, making it impossible to provide through services with conventional railway lines as is commonplace in the rest of the country. In addition, since almost the entire Sapporo Municipal Subway system was built underground (with an entirely enclosed overground segment on the Namboku Line), air-conditioning units cannot be fitted to rolling stock as it would cause the tunnels to heat up potentially creating a larger problem. (The rubber-tyred Montreal Metro in Canada, which was built entirely underground, also has the same issue). Instead, all rolling stock on the Sapporo Municipal Subway utilise forced-air ventilation inside the passenger cabins.

Namboku Line

Tōzai Line

Tōhō Line

Fares

Ticket prices range from 200 yen to 360 yen, depending on the distance to travel. Day passes and discount passes can be purchased at the vending machines. Prepaid "With You" cards can be used for the subway, streetcar and regular city routes offered by JR Hokkaido Bus, Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus.

One-day Cards offer unlimited rides on the subway, streetcar, and regular city routes offered by the Chuo, Jotetsu, and JR Hokkaido Buses (excluding some suburban areas) on the day of purchase. A subway one-day card, for use only on the subway, is also available. Donichika-Tickets allow for unlimited one-day ride pass for the subway to be used only on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

Commuter passes offer unlimited rides between specific stations during their period of validity. There are two types of commuter pass: one for those commuting to their workplace and one for students; both are available for one- or three-month periods, and can be purchased from commuter pass sales offices located at major stations. All stations accept the SAPICA rechargeable IC cards which can be used as a fare card for the subway.

Shopping areas

There are two main shopping areas located underground, connected to the exits of three central stations on the Namboku line: Sapporo Station, Susukino Station, and Odori Station. Pole Town is an extensive shopping area that lies between Susukino and Odori stations. Aurora Town is a shopping arcade that is connected to Sapporo station. It links some of the main shopping malls in Sapporo, such as Daimaru, JR Tower, Esta, and Stellar Palace.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "札幌市営地下鉄東豊線の7000形がラストラン…6月25日 | レスポンス（Response.jp）". Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  2. ↑ 札幌市営地下鉄東豊線で9000形が営業運転を開始 [9000 series enters service on Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Pole Town and Aurora Town - Go! Sapporo". gosapporo.com. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
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