TX’s Forthcoming plan

becoming the train of eight cars

 
















Tsukuba express appearanted to carried out  extension construction of home in all stations for becoming the train of eight cars.
It started construction in June, 2011 sequentially and served as congestion reducing and at first completed extension construction of Minami-Nagareyama Station.
And It change the stop position that utilized an extension part from September, 2012 and plan dispersion of the congestion.



The extension plan

The extension plan was a plan to start from Tokyo Station at first. And Ibaraki and throughout the prefecture city area strongly request realization that is the plan of extending from Akihabara to Tokyo.
However, it does not lead to official decision at present.
Supporting this home of Akihabara Station is in the depth of 34m below ground, it means.
When the extension to the Tokyo area was realized, this is because a base of Akihabara Washington Hotel avoids interfering the line of TX.

When it extends, the track is connected directly with Marunouchi Building basement the direction of Marunouchi.
There is the design to attach great importance to connection with JR Keiyo Line, but the station setting spot at the time of the extension is undecided at present.
The expense that it costs for extension is estimated to be 110 billion yen.
However, it is thought that it is rare as for the problem on the expense side because an expense is left without the use being decided now.

In the south side of Akihabara Washington Hotel, there is the Kanda River. 
In addition, Tokyo subway Hibiya Line goes in the subjacency, and Toei Shinjuku Line passes through the bottom more. 
So, for the Tokyo extension, the track must build hereunder.
Therefore, the Tokyo extension is considered for using depth basements more than depth 50m. 

For the extension to the Tokyo area, it is made it a condition that the number of the mean passengers of the TX in a diary is more than 270,000.And those numbers in 2009 exceeded 270,000 people, it is predicted that the extension plan accelerates in the future.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport examined a place and the expense of Tokyo Station, and according to the information of the newspaper, the Marunouchi street is convincing.

As a demand of citizens of Ibaraki , it pursue extension to from Tsukuba to Tsuchiura and Hyakuri-Base (Ibaraki Airport), and besides to Mito.

However, this does not realize.
According to the answer to demand to Mito Station extension written in the website of Ibaraki, "This plan is a common enterprise of three prefectures of 1 capital and cannot do it only in our prefecture".

Thus, about this plan, it seems that Ibaraki takes a negative attitude.

 

▲Blue line is for an opened part / Red line is for an extension part





By this article, this blog is all end.
It was hard to write blog for me every week.
However, it was studied very much because I questioned a lot of Tsukuba expresses.

Thank you for reading so far.

Experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake

On March 11, 2011, East Japan great earthquake disaster occurred.
The Tsukuba express suffered big damage and needed considerable time until restoration. 

I settle the movement of the Tsukuba express after the earthquake occurrence here.


March 11
Just after an earthquake occurrence of March 11, the Tsukuba express put off driving with the whole line.
And the passenger move on foot between the station to nearest station.
 
The information that the driving reopening of 11 daytime was impossible played in the evening, and many users had to do return on the foot and a wait until the next morning.
There were many railway companies who decided suspension daylong including JR on that day, and service was the situation that was not done only in a part of a metro line and the major private railroad even if late-night.

From Nagareyama to Moriya, the distortion of the rail was taking place in the vicinity of Tonegawa bridge.
In addition, there was not service in the Tsukuba from Moriya until March 13 because there was an overhead wire hindrance from  Banpaku-Kinenkoen to Kenkyu-gakuen either.

For suffering of Kasumigaura irrigation pumping station, large-scale suspension of water supply occurred in Tsukuba, and the use of a restroom and the water service wasn't possible in each station between Tsukuba from Midorino.

The part of the escalator lacked at Kenkyu-Gakuen Station, and an escalator and an elevator became the use stop.
In addition, an escalator and an elevator were stopped for economy in power consumption in each station except Kenkyu-gakuen from March 17.


March 12
There was official announcement to aim at the whole line service reopening in 50% of normal service number on March 12. 


March 13
By progress of the repair work, the Tsukuba express whole line started business from morning. The service was basically all local train.


March 23
By restoration and the start of the thermal power station and a rise in temperature, the power supplied situation improves.
Trains run in 80% of normal from March 23.
And it was suspended at high speed basically, increasing section express trains at the time of the rush.
As a result, number of the train increased than regular diagram at some stations.


April 3
Because the New year begins, and it was expected that the number of the passengers increases, the train returned to the normal diagram except the daytime only for weekdays from April 3.
In addition, a women-only car revived.


April 23
The rest of the express train of the holiday continued, but it revived after April 23.

In addition, as a part of the economy in power consumption, half of the passage part was removed among the fluorescent lamps in the train from the end of April.

April 26

TX produced it, and "Gambaro Nippon" poster was put on a part of the car card and a part of the notice of the station from April 26.
It was distributed 500 sets in TX plaza Akihabara and was assigned 200 sets to each station by mail.

Now, TX completely restores without disorder.

This article is the end.
Next week, I'll introduce TX’s Forthcoming plan.
See you!

Explanation of ticket deals

Hello! This week's article is Explanation of ticket deals.

Ticket of TX is five-types : Nomal ticket, Coupon ticket, Commuter ticket, Groupe ticket and Entrace ticket.
But TX ticket is many other tickets that is convinient on travel.
Then, I will introduce those tickets. 



Mt.Tsukuba ticket
 (http://www.mir.co.jp/service/otoku/tukubasan.html)

 









Mt.Tsukuba is one of 100 Famous Japanese mountains.
In recent years, it has attracted attention as a power spot.  
"Mt.Tsukuba ticket" is a perfect ticket to enjoy the entire mountain like that.  
The validity period for two days.  
And the views from the summit overlooking the Kanto Plain, and flowers of every season, So we can enjoy the mountains.

And facility with this mark, there are a lot of benefits.

TOKYO Search ticket
(http://www.mir.co.jp/service/otoku/tokyotansaku.html)

  



TOKYO ticket search is a convenient, and it is Unlimited one-day rides for Toei Metropolitan Subway, Metropolitan Bus, Toden Arakawa Line and Nippori-Toneri Liner.
And by presenting the ticket, we can receive benefits such as discounts, gifts at stores and facilities along the Metropolitan transportation route.




TX and Jyoso Line Return ticket 
(http://www.mir.co.jp/service/otoku/tx_jyoso.html) 

TX and Jyoso Line Return ticket is the ticket of coming and going to connect Tsukuba express and the Kanto-Tetsudo Joso line.
It is with the advantageous ticket which is available to coming and going between Akihabara, Kitasenju each station of the Tsukuba express line, and Shimodate, Shimotsuma, and Ishige each station aspect each other of the Joso Line.





TX Tokyo-Metoro Pass
(http://www.mir.co.jp/service/otoku/metropass.html)

"TX Tokyo Metro pass" is the ticket which is advantageous with the convenience that all 9 Tokyo Metro routes become free to get all day long.
We are caught a privilege in a large number of institutions along Tokyo Metro by holding out the ticket.



TX and Tokyo Sky Tree outskirts walk-free ticket
(http://www.mir.co.jp/service/otoku/skytree.html) 

"TX and Tokyo Sky Tree outskirts walk-free ticket" is the ticket which is most suitable to take a walk through downtown areas of Oshiage and Asakusa including Tokyo Sky Tree town around Japanese new famous place Tokyo Sky Tree.The Tobu line of some sections, and Ueno and Asakusa of the Sky Tree shuttle is free to get on 1st.
In addition, by the presentation of the ticket, we can receive privileges such as the discount in an institution and the store which are an object.




▼Advantageous ticket to release every year for a fixed period of time

The ticket which is free to take TX all day long

The ticket which is free to take TX all day long releases every year in Tsukuba express each station during a period of summer vacation, winter vacation and spring vacation.
It is only for the release day for the validity.
The release amount of money is adult 2,300 yen, infant 680 yen.
By the way, when add up the amount of release of an adult and the infant, its is 2,980 yen (298 = two ku ba).
It was released for the first time on January 8, 2007 from December 22, 2006.


Don't you go out with such an advantageous ticket?
I do the article of this week by the end here.
Next week, I will introduce "Experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake".

See you!

The introduction of wireless LAN

Hello!This week is about the introduction of wireless LAN.

Tsukuba Express provides wireless LAN services that can be used even in stations and the running train.
The case of having wireless LAN equipment, if you are subscribed to the public wireless LAN service, you can take advantage of Internet service.


Introduced background

In recent years, the place that is available in the public wireless LAN service  has increased.  
This public wireless LAN service is spreading steadily and growing, not only stations,  
you can use places like cafes, the airport, and hotel have increased.


However, for reasons that using available in a limited range, public wireless LAN
 service so far, has been growing expectation that want to use in the train.
As a form of access to the Internet in running train, method for performing communication by connecting a mobile phone or PHS to terminal such as a PC is commonly used, as a special case, they are connected with PHS line or mobile phones between the ground and the train. 
And thought to form as well to set up a wireless LAN in train.

  

But, these methods are limited communication speed, the connection was unstable and they cut off communication to the base station when the connection was switched during traveling.
In addition, because these schemes would be charged fees amount was used, there was a problem of high cost.


TX operated by Shutokenshintoshi line connected Akihabara that is the base of IT and Tsukuba that is a city
And because TX passes through Kashiwanoha-campus with many universities and research institutes, the station is eager for IT is widely used in people of business users, researchers and students.
  
Towards the realization of the environment in which public wireless LAN is available in the train from these things.
The conpany of TX developed a "Internet access high speed system in the train" in collaboration with two Corporations, through experiments the practical application of about one year, it opening started a public wireless LAN service in the train that connects from Akihabara and Tsukuba in August 2006 of the first anniversary.




Mechanism of wireless LAN in train

This system is the country's first commercial system that enables the public wireless LAN service provided in the train running at high speed, it is a revolutionary system in the world.

1. Fast Handover technology 
Wireless LAN enable to maintain IP connection at high speeds and seamless communication uninterrupted even during handover across the wireless area.

2. Construction technology of wireless channel between the train and the ground 
In the facilities and railroad of 60km length and 20 stations, has been achieved to ensure a fast and stable wireless line.

3. Technology sharing access point of public wireless LAN  
It is possible to provide services on a train by a public wireless LAN of multiple business.

4. All wireless technology
Has been achieved in all wireless by relay line like user access, train line and ground, backbone in the train, and between the ground station and the ground relay station.


5. Integration wireless system
By effectively combining various technologies, including 1-4, it has realized this system.


This week is end. 
Next week, I will introduce ticket deals of TX.
See you!

Breakdown and number of passengers to use

Hello!
This article is about "Break down and number of passengers to use"
Number of Station is 15, but number of passengers of each is falling apart.


Number of passengers for the first year alone 3,469 million 
and 150,700 people are the number of passengers per day on average more than "135,000" expected before the opening.  
Then, the average daily number of passengers records 239,000 people in April 2007,  
266,100 people in November 2008, 270,500 people in April 2009.


In addition, the ranking of the number of passengers per day in all 20 stations have been announced one week after opening.
 
1.Akihabara  (34,600 people)
2.Tsukuba (18,977 people)
3.Kita-Senju (17,603 people)
4.Nagareyama-otakanomori (11,610 people)
5.Moriya (11,327 people)

Any transfer station and other railway was topped.



 The average daily number of persons riding

▼Station                            2010      　2011
Akihabara                          57,590     56,763
Shin-okachimachi               14,778     14,417
Asakusa                               8,363       8,420
Minami-Senjyu                     4,135       4,002
Kita-Senjyu                        37,306     36,821
Aoi                                     5,812       5,777
Rokucho                            10,621     10,065
Yashio                               14,895     14,129
Misato-Chuo                        8,708       8,128
Minami-Nagareyama            29,277     28,560　
Nagareyama-centralpark        2,855      2,821
Nagareyama-otakanomori    29,056     28,609
Kashiwanoha-campus          12,152     11,677
Kashiwa-Tanaka                   2,854       2,786
Moriya                               22,644     22,182
Miraidaira                            3,387      3,149
Midorino                              2,690      2,575
Bampaku-kinenkoen              2,063      1,893
Kenkyu-gakuen                     4,886      4,325
Tsukuba                             15,638     15,529

In all stations, the average have increased from 2010 is the only Asakusa.


Changes in number of passengers for each station
 
・Some at the station was a large increase in number of passengers in opened.  
But also tends to gradually recovered, then decreased once.
For example, all stations in Ibaraki Prefecture except for Moriya, and Asakusa.
I suspect these stations, it is because there were people who ride in the trial at the time of opening.
In particular, because Tsukuba and Asakusa were famous place, there were increased in the number of passengers.

・The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on the 11 March 2011,
the Center of TX was damaged and due to power outage.
So users has fallen significantly in the impact of canceled.However, with the restoration of the facility and the surrounding railway facilities in advance, its were recovered in June.

･Three stations, Moriya, Nagareyama-otakanomori and Minami-Nagareyama are a large increase in the number of passengers in April and October. 
Because commuter pass update period for school and commuting to Tokyo is concentrate.
In addition, number of student passengers has decreased in July and August of the summer vacation.

・Kashiwanoha-campus station is a large number of user has increased during the opening of LaLaport. However, after that slowing down.

・The overall trend, Users ride more in spring and of tourist season, but August summer vacation decrease.
Asakusa Station increase especially in January because many people go to worship to Senso-ji Temple.

・ JR Akihabara Station is one of the impact on other lines.
Tsukuba Express since it opened in 2005, to be used as a transfer station passenger increases, as a result utilization of JR Akihabara Station has increased.



In this way, the utilization of the station can be seen that varies with the season and the buildings around the station.

This article is end.
Next week, I'll introduce wireless LAN of TX.

About each station②

 Hallo!
 This article is a continuation of the previous.


11.Nagareyama-centralpark (119, maehirai ,nagareyama-shi, Chiba)

This just about 25 minutes walk from either nagareyama station of electric railway and Toyoshiki station of Tobu Noda line .
Next to the station, there is a general sports park which is the origin of Central Park.  
Taking advantage of its location, town development is in progress on the theme of "town to unwind and relax(=relaxation Front)."

12.Nagareyama-otakanomori (6-182-3, nishi-shoseki, nagareyama-shi,Chiba)

It is a transfer station with Tobu Noda Line.
The origin of the station name, the goshawk is endangered species is near in the forest of Ichinoya. 
Although it has been said that Nagareyama town is too much bustle, as the central nucleus of Otakanomori around the station, which is planning to form a new city.

13.Kashiwanoha-campus (174, wakashiba, kashiwa-shi, Chiba)

In front of the station, there is a shopping center Lalaport Kashiwanoha. 
There is many clothing stores like UNIQLO, Tommy, Crocodile, Timeless-Arnold-Palmer, and Light-on for young people.
And research and educational institutions that lead today have been gathered there.
Stations is designed by  Makoto Watanabe who is the famous architect of station design and urban space design. 

 















14.Kashiwa-Tanaka (274-1, koaota, kashiwa-shi, Chiba)

This station has a design concept that "the station like fluid", it is conscious of the Tone River flow and fish. 
And in the next station is 5.7 km to Moriya, it is the distance between stations is the second longest in the Tsukuba Express.

15.Moriya (2566-1, oaza-moriya-kou, moriya-shi, Ibaraki)

It is a transfer station between the Kanto Railway Joso line.
From adjacent to the base vehicle, is also the terminus of the train and the first train.

16.Miraidaira (1-4-4, youkoudai, tsukubamirai-shi, Ibaraki)

It is the only station that was built on the ground in all Tsukuba Express station.
This station is on plateau of Yawara-Ina, there is burial mounds and shell mound.
So it is a region with a long abundant history of the land. 
A golf course is around there, to navigate a shuttle bus from the Miraidaira station.

17.Midorino (382, shimokayamaru, tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki)

This station is located in the southern part of the city of Tsukuba.
Including Tsukuba City Hall, there is a baseball field, tennis courts, gymnasium hall and civic hall.

18.Bampaku-kinenkoen (4386, shimana, tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki)

Banpaku-kinenkoen station is a station on the fancy letter welcoming us, there are some monuments of world science exposition which was held in Tsukuba in 1985.
To Banpakukinen park is about 30 minutes by foot.

19.Kenkyu-gakuen (1229-1, karima, tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki)

Developed Area of this station is the widest along Tsukuba Express.
In front of the station, there is a park with a "House Style of Tsukuba" and vast lawn.  
We can spend hours with spacious.

  















20.Tsukuba (2-128, agatsuma, tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki)

Tsukuba station is the first underground station in Ibaraki Prefecture.

In the duration of 45 minutes to Akihabara in express train, so have become more convenient access to the center of Tokyo.
Also, near the station is many commercial, public facilities and the green park.
In this city a lot of experience living abroad and foreign nationals working in research organizations, are many people who love bread.  
So there are a lot of delicious bakery, has come to be known as "Tsukuba is the city of bread."

 











Article about each station is end.
Next week is "Breakdown and the number of passengers to use" 
and "Will it really reach the Akihabara in 45 minutes?"

See you!