Announcements On Board Tokyo Metro trains (and beyond)

[Addy]

Hello,

 

When I was in Tokyo last year, I rode around all the Tokyo and Toei lines, and will be back next week to travel beyond the "Metro" boundaries.

One thing I noticed was that while trains that played Bilungial (Japanese then English) announcements onboard, on the Tokyo Metro network, these announcements were only in Japanese during the peak times on Mondays to Fridays.

 

My question is - do the bilingual announcements (Japanese then English) play on trains all day on Saturday and Sunday, or does the Metro also have a peak period on these days as well? My experience from travelling on a Sunday is that there is no peak period.

 

Thanking you in advance for any assistance.

 

Glenn

[bikkuri bahn]

I can't answer the question about announcements on weekends, as I don't reside in Tokyo (there are other forumers who do and likely can answer that).  However, you are correct that there is a minimal peak traffic on weekends, judging by the frequency of trains (only one extra train per hour on the Metro Tozai line during the late 9~10am period, for example).  In fact, on the Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line, there are more trains running during the nominally offpeak midday hours (10am to 4pm) than in the morning.

 

Some people may ask about the Japanese-only announcements during the weekday rush- the likely reason is that most foreigners are residents/employed in 9/5 jobs riding the trains during those hours and thus can (or should) understand the content in Japanese, and the shortening of recorded announcements allows the guard/conductor to make critical announcements as they are needed, especially on the short distances between stations found on Metro and JR-E inner city services.

[katoftw]

I was very surprized by the effort by the railway companies to have bilingual announcement when in Japan.  JRE, Toei, Yurikamome, JRC, JRW, Keifuku and JRK all had Japanese, English and Cantonese announcements.

 

On at related note, but not really about the subject.  I recently read an article about Japanese tourism that said they were lacking in signage and help for foreign tourists.  I laughed and assumed the article writer must have never been to Japan before.

[Sacto1985]

Dealing with signage at some train stations in Japan is going to be a HUGE problem if they want to make it clear and bilingual. I mean, at Shinjuku Station, the station layout is so complex that even signs in Japanese are hard to understand even by long-time Tokyo residents.

[railsquid]

I was very surprized by the effort by the railway companies to have bilingual announcement when in Japan.  JRE, Toei, Yurikamome, JRC, JRW, Keifuku and JRK all had Japanese, English and Cantonese announcements.

 

I have yet to hear Cantonese anywhere, where did you hear that? The only times I've heard languages other than Japanese and English is on the Keisei Skyliner (Mandarin and Korean), and possibly some of the Keikyu airport trains (not that I've been on every train on every line recently).

 

The bi/multilingual announcements seem to have been phased around the the introduction of modern information systems, from the early 2000s onwards. I can't say I noticed they suddenly go Japanese-only at peak times, I'll have to listen out ("unfortunately" I rarely travel at peak times :D ).

 

There's certainly been an upsurge in bi/multilingual signage everywhere with the tourist boom of the last couple of years. Even Poppondetta Akihabara has put up English versions of their floor guide (though it looks like they put it through Google Translate a couple of times to garble it properly ;).

[katoftw]

I don't speak Chinese, but recognize some words.  It was probably Mandarin I was hearing then.

 

As I said earlier.  I'm very impressed with the level that Japan goes to to accommodate visitors.  I suspect you could be on a highway between Hyogo and Tottori, and you still find English signage at the interchange.

Edited November 26, 2015 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Quite probably.

 

Meanwhile, I'm on a bus headed for Mitaka station, both display board and automated announcements are in Japanese only.

[Addy]

Thanks to all that have responded so far. I assumed that the announcements on the Tokyo Metro lines may only be in Japanese because of the mainly commuter traffic in the peaks. The thing I found interesting though was that Toei are bilingual all the time. That being said, one major headache for me was the fact that on the "A" line, only the 5300 series stock had auto announcements, all other rollingstock was manually done. Which is fine, unless you are like me and can't speak Japanese. I am looking forward to getting back and listening to all that onboard stuff for a week.

 

But I am looking forward to going further afield this time.

 

As a non-Japanese speaking person, I found the signage at stations to be very good. Alpha numeric station codes, plus district maps and alpha numeric codes got me to where I needed to go each time.

[railsquid]

I don't take the Asakusa line much, but it does have an electic range of stock from 5 different companies running on it so may well be somewhat "behind" as far as automatic announcements go.

 

For the record, evening peak Chuo Line and Yamanote Line is bilingual.

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

As a non-Japanese speaking person, I found the signage at stations to be very good. Alpha numeric station codes, plus district maps and alpha numeric codes got me to where I needed to go each time.

With the introduction of station numbering on private railways in Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures, things are much easier than before the introduction, since the station numbering helps passengers to know what line they're boarding. One of the reason why station numbering is introduced, because there are large number of case where a passenger accidentally boards a false train at interchange stations (誤乗車) due to confusions. This case occurs on stations where two lines meets at the same station complex and shares same tracks...

 

Regarding the automatic announcement, when a train is about to have on-board automatic announcement system being installed or refurbished (such as having English announcement being added to supplement original Japanese ones), it means that a special box containing the needed equipments must be installed under the train...

 

CMIIW

[katoftw]

One of the reason why station numbering is introduced, because there are large number of case where a passenger accidentally boards a false train at interchange stations (誤乗車) due to confusions. This case occurs on stations where two lines meets at the same station complex and shares same tracks...

Don't these trains have destination boards?

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

Don't these trains have destination boards?

Well, this is one of the most complicated part of train operations:

 

In rush hour period, passengers are unable to properly watching the destination displays, due to the very crowded situation in the station. If it happens on interchange stations where two different lines shares same tracks and same platforms for transfers, it means that there is a possibility that some of the passengers would boarding the false train (example: you want to board Keio Line train toward Takaosanguchi, but due to the crowded situation you ended up falsely boarding the Sagamihara Line train toward Hashimoto).

 

Introducing station numbering is one of the most helpful option for reducing the amount of boarding false trains; the other one is optimizing the announcement system to inform the passengers more clearly...

 

Sorry for going off the rails, let's return back to the topic...

[kvp]

 

Introducing station numbering is one of the most helpful option for reducing the amount of boarding false trains; the other one is optimizing the announcement system to inform the passengers more clearly...

Yes, station numbers are especially helpful for those who don't know the line or can't even read japanese.

 

Against false boardings, it always helps to show the route number and destination of each train at each platform on the platform display boards. The basic variant could display the actual train, a more advanced one could show the next few trains with remaining time until arrival added, while the topmost text could blink while the train which it belongs is actually standing at the platform with doors open. For common boards at the middle of island platforms, a simple arrow could indicate if the train on it is on the left or right from the display. (all these can be done without station numbers, as long as the text route number or the destination text could be read by everyone)

[railsquid]

Against false boardings, it always helps to show the route number and destination of each train at each platform on the platform display boards. The basic variant could display the actual train, a more advanced one could show the next few trains with remaining time until arrival added, while the topmost text could blink while the train which it belongs is actually standing at the platform with doors open. For common boards at the middle of island platforms, a simple arrow could indicate if the train on it is on the left or right from the display. (all these can be done without station numbers, as long as the text route number or the destination text could be read by everyone)

 

Wow, I'm surprised no-one in Japan has had this idea already...

[railsquid]

Well, this is one of the most complicated part of train operations:

 

In rush hour period, passengers are unable to properly watching the destination displays, due to the very crowded situation in the station. If it happens on interchange stations where two different lines shares same tracks and same platforms for transfers, it means that there is a possibility that some of the passengers would boarding the false train (example: you want to board Keio Line train toward Takaosanguchi, but due to the crowded situation you ended up falsely boarding the Sagamihara Line train toward Hashimoto).

 

Introducing station numbering is one of the most helpful option for reducing the amount of boarding false trains; the other one is optimizing the announcement system to inform the passengers more clearly...

 

Out of curiosity, what makes you think this is such a serious problem?

[railsquid]

FWIW the station/line numbering is more for the benefit of visitors (Japanese and foreign) not familiar with Tokyo, making it easier to specify a particular station, especially when the name is complex/similar to another station, e.g. Itabashi vs Iidabashi.

[miyakoji]

Yes, station numbers are especially helpful for those who don't know the line or can't even read japanese.

 

Against false boardings, it always helps to show the route number and destination of each train at each platform on the platform display boards. The basic variant could display the actual train, a more advanced one could show the next few trains with remaining time until arrival added, while the topmost text could blink while the train which it belongs is actually standing at the platform with doors open. For common boards at the middle of island platforms, a simple arrow could indicate if the train on it is on the left or right from the display. (all these can be done without station numbers, as long as the text route number or the destination text could be read by everyone)

 

They've got this.  I just had a look around YouTube, there are a few interesting variants.

 

 

This one is at Atami, it even shows what model the train will be.  This speaks deeply to my inner railfan

 

 

 

At Osaka, the bottom line directly addresses railfans:

 

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

Out of curiosity, what makes you think this is such a serious problem?

Well, the reason why I thought this is a serious problem is because passengers who used one-way ticket that boarded false train would have to buy another ticket for going to the intended destination. This case is (unfortunately, still) happens in my country, where visual announcements are still not providing clear informations. Along with the "not-so-audible" voice announcements, it causes many passengers to board false trains at interchange stations.

 

I'm sorry if there are several "private" opinions from myself, but I felt that false boarding is something that everyone must be aware, because false boarding could ruin up someone's schedule.

 

Back to the automatic announcement, I just remembered that there are two versions of Tokyo Metro's on-board automatic announcements that would be heard when the train is about to stop at a station:

 

1. 出口は...側です、ホームドアにご注意ください - this one is found on lines that already equipped with platform doors, such as Fukutoshin, Yurakucho, Marunouchi, Namboku, etc

2. 出口は...側です - without "ホームドアにご注意ください", this one is used on lines that still not using platform doors like Tozai, Hibiya, Chiyoda, and Hanzomon...

[katoftw]

FWIW the station/line numbering is more for the benefit of visitors (Japanese and foreign) not familiar with Tokyo, making it easier to specify a particular station, especially when the name is complex/similar to another station, e.g. Itabashi vs Iidabashi.

This.

 

It is about passenger deboarding the train, not boarding.  If passengers cannot read destination boards and platform boards.  Then being at station A21 isn't gonna help them find their right train.

Edited November 27, 2015 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Well, the reason why I thought this is a serious problem is because passengers who used one-way ticket that boarded false train would have to buy another ticket for going to the intended destination. This case is (unfortunately, still) happens in my country, where visual announcements are still not providing clear informations. Along with the "not-so-audible" voice announcements, it causes many passengers to board false trains at interchange stations.

 

In Japan, except for trains where a surcharge is required, revenue collection is performed when exiting the station, not on the train. Which means you can basically travel by any route you like without extra charge; in an extreme case you could spend all day travelling on multiple lines for the price of the cheapest ticket. So if you do go the wrong way despite all the information available, it's no problem to turn round and go back.

[katoftw]

Well, the reason why I thought this is a serious problem is because passengers who used one-way ticket that boarded false train would have to buy another ticket for going to the intended destination. This case is (unfortunately, still) happens in my country, where visual announcements are still not providing clear informations. Along with the "not-so-audible" voice announcements, it causes many passengers to board false trains at interchange stations.

 

I'm sorry if there are several "private" opinions from myself, but I felt that false boarding is something that everyone must be aware, because false boarding could ruin up someone's schedule.

Please don't compare the Indonesian system to the Japanese system.  For all the reasons you stated people miss trains in Indonesia, Japan's solved those issues with maintenence and correct signage.  I don't think you can compare the two systems.  There is a huge grab between the two.

[Addy]

Thanks everyone for your replies, this is certainly an interesting topic. I will take into account the Youtube links as well. My plan will be to stick to Toei trains that go beyond the "Metro" network (if there are such trains) during the peaks, and come back to through running on the Tokyo Metro lines in the off peaks. It looks like I will be able to do any line on a weekend.

Mind you, even though I heard hundreds of announcements last visit, I am sure there are a lot more things said in Japanese, than what is said in English.

It will be a very busy week. If I strike any issues when I am there, I'll further comments.

[Kabutoni]

Thanks everyone for your replies, this is certainly an interesting topic. I will take into account the Youtube links as well. My plan will be to stick to Toei trains that go beyond the "Metro" network (if there are such trains) during the peaks, and come back to through running on the Tokyo Metro lines in the off peaks. It looks like I will be able to do any line on a weekend.

 

You're lucky to have the Keisei, Keikyū, Toei Asakusa line network receiving schedule change this month with a Sakura (Keisei) - Misakiguchi (Keikyū) direct service being revived! ;) This means that Keikyū and Keisei trains will be penetrating each other's main lines deeply again via the Toei Asakusa line. And yes, it sounds as good as it does.

[miyakoji]

Sounds like it's time to take a break, Toni, no more trains.  Maybe some mountain asceticism would be good.  Tofu and water.  Let us know how you get on.

[railsquid]

Mind you, even though I heard hundreds of announcements last visit, I am sure there are a lot more things said in Japanese, than what is said in English.

 

The guard will often provide a lot of additional information about connections, stations which will be skipped etc., and every now and again ask for cooperation in not running onto the train at the last second after someone has done just that.