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The is a
commuter rail Commuter rail, or suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns. Generally commuter rail systems are co ...
line operated by the third-sector Hokusō Railway in Japan. It runs between Keisei-Takasago Station in
Katsushika, Tokyo is a special ward located in Tokyo, Japan. The ward calls itself Katsushika City in English. As of May 1, 2015, the ward has an estimated population of 444,356, and a population density of 12,770 people per km². The total area is 34.80  ...
and Inba-Nihon-Idai Station in Inzai, Chiba. It is part of the primary Keisei route between central Tokyo and
Narita International Airport Narita International Airport ( ja, 成田国際空港, Narita Kokusai Kūkō) , also known as Tokyo-Narita, formerly and originally known as , is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Haneda Airpo ...
through the
Narita Sky Access Line The is a Japanese railway line connecting Keisei-Takasago Station and Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station. The entire route from Keisei Ueno Station, including the Keisei Main Line as far as Keisei-Takasago, is branded . The Keisei Electric R ...
. It uses the ATS Type 1 system.


Operations

Most trains are all-station "Local" services, but some limited-stop "Rapid" express trains have operated in morning and evening hours. ; (L) : Stops at all stations, all day. Through to
Keisei Main Line {{Infobox rail line , name = Keisei Main Line , native_name = 京成本線 , native_name_lang = ja , color = 005aaa , logo = {{KSLS, KS, 50 , logo_width = , image = Keisei-Series3000-3042.jpg , image_width = 3 ...
,
Keisei Oshiage Line The is a railway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by private railway company Keisei Electric Railway. It connects Oshiage Station in Sumida and Aoto Station in Katsushika. The Oshiage Line passes through areas typical of Tokyo's ''shitamachi' ...
,
Toei Asakusa Line The is a subway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo subway operator Toei Subway. The line runs between in Ōta and in Sumida. The line is named after the Asakusa district, a cultural center of Tokyo, under which it passes. The Asa ...
,
Keikyū Main Line The is a railway line in Japan, operated by the private railway operator Keikyu. The line connects the Tokyo wards of Minato, Shinagawa, Ōta, and the Kanagawa municipalities of Kawasaki, Yokohama and Yokosuka. The Keikyu Main Line began a ...
, Keikyū Airport Line and
Keikyū Kurihama Line The is a commuter rail line operated by the private railway operator Keikyu in Japan. Keikyu Main Line trains from and in Tokyo connect to the Miura Peninsula on the Keikyu Kurihama Line. Service types Three different types of service ope ...
. ; (Ex) : Runs only in the evening on weekdays, down from Keisei line. ; (LE) : Runs only on weekdays. ; (EL) : Runs on weekdays morning only. This service is bound to Ueno Station. :Fare(adult/500 yen, child/250 yen) :Stop at five stations (Passengers are able to get on at Inba-Nihon-Idai Station, Chiba New Town Chuo Station → Passengers are able to get off at Aoto Station, Nippori Station, Keisei Ueno Station) :This service has been commenced operating since October 1, 2020.


Stations


Rolling stock


Hokuso Railway

*
Hokuso 7300 series The is an electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan since 1992. Design Based on the Keisei 3700 series design, two eight-car sets were introduced in 1992. Four further sets, nu ...
(since 1991) * Hokuso 7500 series (since 2006) Hokuso-Series7828.jpg, Hokuso 7300 series


Chiba New Town Railway

*
Chiba New Town Railway 9100 series The is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type owned by the third-sector railway company Chiba New Town Railway and operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan since 1994. The trains are nicknamed "C-Flyer", with the ...
(since 1994, branded "C-Flyer") *
Chiba New Town Railway 9200 series The is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type owned by the third-sector railway company Chiba New Town Railway and operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan since 1 March 2013. Design The design is based on the ...
(since March 2013) *
Chiba New Town Railway 9800 series The is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type owned by the third-sector railway company Chiba New Town Railway and operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan since 21 March 2017. The sole eight-car trainset, 9808 ...
(since 21 March 2017) Hokuso-Series9101.jpg, Chiba New Town Railway 9100 series Chiba-Newtown-Railway-Type9200-9201.jpg, Chiba New Town Railway 9200 series Chiba-New-Town_Series9801.jpg, Chiba New Town Railway 9800 series


Keisei Electric Railway

* Keisei 3000 series (since 2003) * Keisei 3050 series (since 2010) * Keisei 3100 series (since 2019) * Keisei 3400 series (since 1993) * Keisei 3500 series (refurbished sets only) *
Keisei 3700 series The is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keisei Electric Railway in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1991. Operations The 3700 series eight-car sets operate on the Keisei Main Line betwe ...
(since 1991) * Keisei AE series (since 2010)


Keikyu

*
Keikyu 600 series The is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keikyu on commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan. First introduced in 1994, a total of eight 8-car sets and six 4-car sets were built by Tokyu Car ...
(since 1994) *
Keikyu N1000 series The is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keikyu on commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan since 2002.
(since 2002) * Keikyu 1500 series (since 1985)


Toei Subway

*
Toei 5300 series The is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei) on the Toei Asakusa Line in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 27 eight-car trainsets (216 vehicles) were built between 1990 and 1998 by Kaw ...
(since 1991, through service with
Toei Asakusa Line The is a subway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo subway operator Toei Subway. The line runs between in Ōta and in Sumida. The line is named after the Asakusa district, a cultural center of Tokyo, under which it passes. The Asa ...
) * Toei 5500 series (since 2018, through service with
Toei Asakusa Line The is a subway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo subway operator Toei Subway. The line runs between in Ōta and in Sumida. The line is named after the Asakusa district, a cultural center of Tokyo, under which it passes. The Asa ...
)


Former rolling stock


Chiba New Town Railway

*
Chiba New Town Railway 9000 series The was a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type formerly owned by the third-sector railway company Chiba New Town Railway and operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan from 1984 until 20 March 2017. Formation Th ...
(from 1984 until 20 March 2017)


Hokuso Railway

* 7000 series (from 1979 until 2007) * 7050 series (rebadged Keisei 3150 series cars leased from Keisei) * 7150 series (from 1991 until 1998, converted from former Keikyu 1000 series EMUs) * 7250 series (from 2003 until 2006, converted from former Keisei 3150 series EMUs) * Hokuso 7260 series (from 2006 until March 2015, converted from Keisei 3300 series EMUs) File:Chiba New Town Railway 9000 series 20070812.jpg, Chiba New Town Railway 9000 series in August 2007 File:Hokuso7150shmbamba.JPG, 7150 series in July 1995 File:Hokuso-7250.jpg, 7250 series in February 2006 File:Model 7250-7268F of Hokuso Railway.jpg, Hokuso 7260 series in August 2007


Shin-Keisei Electric Railway

* 800 series (also leased to Hokuso Railway) * 8800 series * 8900 series * Keisei 200 series


Keisei Electric Railway

* 3050 series (original) (until 1995) * 3100 series (until 1998) * 3150 series * 3200 series (until 2007) * 3300 series (unrefurbished sets) * 3500 series (unrefurbished sets) * 3600 series


Toei Subway

* 5000 series * 5200 series


Keikyu

* Keikyu 1000 series (until 2010)


History

The first section of the line, from Komuro to Shin-Kamagaya, opened in March 1979, including a temporary connection to the
Shin-Keisei Line The is a railway line in Japan owned by the private railway company Shin-Keisei Electric Railway, a subsidiary of Keisei Electric Railway. The line runs between Matsudo Station in Matsudo, Chiba, and Keisei-Tsudanuma Station in Narashino, C ...
at Kita-Hatsutomi. As other tracks were connected, it changed its name to "Hokusō Kōdan Line" in April 1987. Over 17 years later, the railway properties of the HDC corporation transferred to , on July 1, 2004, and the whole line was renamed as the Hokusō Line.


Western section

This section was planned as a railway access to Chiba New Town. Initially proposed by a committee of the then
Ministry of Transport A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government a ...
, the route was numbered "Line 1", as the northern extension of
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation The , also known as , is a bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government which operates public transport services in Tokyo. Among its services, the Toei Subway is one of two rapid transit systems which make up the Tokyo subway system, the other ...
(Toei) Line 1 (present Asakusa Line) to Komuro area of Chiba New Town. In 1979 the first phase of this section between and opened. The through-operation via
Shin-Keisei Line The is a railway line in Japan owned by the private railway company Shin-Keisei Electric Railway, a subsidiary of Keisei Electric Railway. The line runs between Matsudo Station in Matsudo, Chiba, and Keisei-Tsudanuma Station in Narashino, C ...
to began, on a temporary basis until the second phase of this section could connect the town directly to the Keisei and Asakusa Line network. The second phase section to on the
Keisei Main Line {{Infobox rail line , name = Keisei Main Line , native_name = 京成本線 , native_name_lang = ja , color = 005aaa , logo = {{KSLS, KS, 50 , logo_width = , image = Keisei-Series3000-3042.jpg , image_width = 3 ...
opened in 1991, and through-operation began. In the following year, Shin-Keisei included Shin-Kamagaya Station as a transfer station, and abandoned the temporary route.


Eastern section

The section east of Komuro was initially the eastern part of a once-planned (II, apart from the first which opened the Tōbu Noda Line and the Kururi Line) as an extension of Line 10 ( Shinjuku Line). The line was to be built from via to parallel to the line above, then to terminate at present . The first section between Komuro and was opened in 1984, and the operations were commissioned to the present Hokusō Railway. * March 9, 1979: Hokusō Line (first phase) of – . Through-operation via
Shin-Keisei Line The is a railway line in Japan owned by the private railway company Shin-Keisei Electric Railway, a subsidiary of Keisei Electric Railway. The line runs between Matsudo Station in Matsudo, Chiba, and Keisei-Tsudanuma Station in Narashino, C ...
to on temporary basis. * March 19, 1984: of (HUDC onwards) Komuro – * April 1, 1987: On the section of Komuro – Chiba New Town Chūō, Hokusō Development Railway became the Category-2 Railway Business operator, while HUDC became Category-3 Railway Business. On the commencement of the , Act No. 92 of 1986) for the privatization of the
Japan National Railways The abbreviated JNR or , was the business entity that operated Japan's national railway network from 1949 to 1987. Network Railways As of June 1, 1949, the date of establishment of JNR, it operated of narrow gauge () railways in all 46 pref ...
. Simultaneously, the entire stretch was renamed to * March 31, 1991: Hokusō Line (phase 2) – . Through-operations by four parties (Hokusō,
Keisei Electric Railway The (stylized as K'SEI since 2001) is a major private railway in Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo, Japan. The name ''Keisei'' is the combination of the kanji 京 from and 成 from , which the railway's main line connects. The combination uses diffe ...
,
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation The , also known as , is a bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government which operates public transport services in Tokyo. Among its services, the Toei Subway is one of two rapid transit systems which make up the Tokyo subway system, the other ...
(Toei),
Keihin Electric Express Railway (), also known as or, more recently, , is a private railroad that connects inner Tokyo to Kawasaki, Yokohama, Yokosuka and other points on the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture. It also provides rail access to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. mean ...
(Keikyū)) began. * July 4, 1992: Shin-Keisei opened Shin-Kamagaya Station. Through-operation to Shin-Keisei terminated. The section of Kita-Hatsutomi – Shin-Kamagaya was abandoned. * April 1, 1995: Chiba New Town Chūō – Inzai-Makinohara, as Hokusō Cat-2, HUDC Cat-3 * 1999: HUDC reorganized to the (HDC onwards), continued state of Cat-3 of the line. * July 22, 2000: Inzai-Makinohara – Inba-Nihon-Idai, as Hokusō Cat-2, HDC Cat-3. Present stretch completed. * July 1, 2004: Railway properties of HDC transferred to , and the whole line was renamed as the Hokusō Line.


Extension to Narita Airport

After the abandonment of the planned Narita Shinkansen, routes of rapid transit to Narita Airport had long been discussed. For a utilization of partially completed tracks of the Shinkansen, JR East and Keisei lines to were realized. A much faster line had long been needed, and for that purpose the first priority was the Keisei – Hokusō route. In 2001, a new Cat-3 entity, commenced building a new line connecting Inba-Nihon-Idai to the junction to which is a Cat-3 company of existing access railways, the tracks of the formerly planned Narita Shinkansen. The express trains are operated by Keisei as a Cat-2 operator with maximum speed at , the fastest in Japanese private railway (which was formerly shared with Hokuetsu Express until the opening of the
Hokuriku Shinkansen The is a high-speed Shinkansen railway line jointly operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West), connecting Tokyo with in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The first section, between and in Nagano P ...
in 2015) which enables a 34-minute journey from to Narita Airport. The line opened in July 2010.


Local subsidies

Hokuso Railway fares are significantly higher than those of other private railways in the region. In 2013, a journey of on the Hokuso Line cost 540 yen, while a journey cost 720 yen. Equivalent journeys on the Keisei Main Line cost 250 yen and 360 yen respectively while equivalent journeys on JR East cost 210 yen and 380 yen respectively. The difference in fares is largely due to the debt burden remaining from the portion of the line built and owned by Hokuso Railway itself; this is also the case for the
Tōyō Rapid Railway Line The is a rapid transit line owned by the third-sector company Tōyō Rapid Railway Co., Ltd., which runs between Nishi-Funabashi Station in Funabashi, Chiba and Tōyō-Katsutadai Station in Yachiyo, Chiba. The name comes from the characters ...
and the Saitama Rapid Railway Line, which are also known for having comparatively high fares. In 2009,
Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Chiba Prefecture has a population of 6,278,060 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Chiba Prefecture borders Ibaraki Prefecture to the north, Saitama Prefecture to the n ...
and several municipalities along the line agreed with Hokuso Railway for an average fare reduction of 4.6% (25% for student commuter passes), in exchange for which they agreed to subsidize half of the estimated revenue loss of 600 million yen. The fare reduction was implemented in July 2010 at the time of the opening of the Narita Sky Access Line. In 2011 and 2012, the cities of Shiroi and Inzai elected new mayors on platforms of negotiating for further fare reductions and stopping public subsidies respectively; a third-party study commissioned by the two city governments concluded in August 2013 that the Hokusō Line would break at even more discounted fare levels without local subsidies. Hokuso, on the other hand, has argued that increased
consumption tax A consumption tax is a tax levied on consumption spending on goods and services. The tax base of such a tax is the money spent on consumption. Consumption taxes are usually indirect, such as a sales tax or a value-added tax. However, a consumpt ...
rates and capital expenditures related to upgrading the
Pasmo is a rechargeable contactless smart card electronic money system. It is primarily used for public transport in Tokyo, Japan, where it was introduced on 18 March 2007. Pasmo can also be used as a payment card for vending machines and store ...
system will force them to raise fares in 2015. Additional fare reduction measures were implemented on 1 October 2022 which brought down regular fares by around 10% along with commuter passes being discounted by an additional 65%.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hokuso Line Railway lines in Japan Railway lines in Tokyo Railway lines in Chiba Prefecture Railway lines opened in 1979 Standard gauge railways in Japan Railway lines in highway medians Japanese third-sector railway lines