Chiba Urban Monorail

The Chiba Urban Monorail (千葉都市モノレール, Chiba Toshi Monorēru) is a two-line suspended monorail system located in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is owned and operated by Chiba Urban Monorail Co., Ltd (千葉都市モノレール株式会社, Chiba toshi monorēru kabushikigaisha), a so-called "third-sector" company established on March 20, 1979. Investors include Chiba Prefecture and the city of Chiba.

Chiba Urban Monorail
千葉都市モノレール
Overview
LocaleChiba, Chiba Prefecture
Transit typeSuspension railway
Number of lines2
Number of stations18
Daily ridership45,430 daily boardings (2008)
Headquarters199-1 Hagidai-chō, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture
Operation
Began operation1988
Operator(s)Chiba Urban Monorail Co., Ltd.
Rolling stock1000 series, 0 series (since 2012)
Technical
System length15.2 km (9.44 mi)
Electrification1500V DC
Chiba Urban Monorail Co., Ltd
Native name
千葉都市モノレール株式会社
Chiba toshi monorēru kabushikigaisha
TypePrivate KK
IndustryTransportation
FoundedMarch 20, 1979 (1979-03-20)
Headquarters
Chiba, Chiba
,
Japan
Key people
Kazuaki Okada (Chief Executive)
OwnersGovernment of Chiba City (92.97%)
JFE Steel (1.57%)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (1.57%)
Chiba Bank (1.12%)
TEPCO Power Grid (1%)
Number of employees
142
Websitechiba-monorail.co.jp
Route Map

The first segment (Line 2 from Sports Center Station to Chishirodai Station) opened on March 28, 1988, the remainder 11 years later on March 24, 1999. The PASMO contactless smart card can be used to purchase fares.

It is the world's longest suspended monorail system at 15.2 km in track length.

Routes

Line 1

Line 1 connects Chiba Minato Station and Kencho-mae Station by a 3.2 km multiple-track route. Operating at 1500 VDC, trains make four intermediate stops.

Station list
No. Station Japanese Distance
(km)		 Transfers
CM01 Chiba-Minato 千葉みなと 0.0 JR East: Keiyo Line
CM02 Shiyakusho-mae 市役所前 0.7
CM03 Chiba 千葉 1.5 JR East: Sōbu Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibō Line, Narita Line
Chiba Urban Monorail Line 2
Keisei Electric Railway : Keisei Chiba Line, Keisei Chihara Line (Keisei Chiba Station)
CM16 Sakaechō 栄町 2.0
CM17 Yoshikawakōen 葭川公園 2.5
CM18 Kenchō-mae 県庁前 3.2

Line 2

Line 2 connects Chiba Station and Chishiro-dai Station. Operating at 1500 VDC, trains make 11 intermediate stops on the 12.0 km multiple-track route. Nearly all trains continue on Line 1 to Chiba-Minato Station.

Station list
No. Station Japanese Distance
(km)		 Transfers
CM03 Chiba 千葉 0.0 JR East: Sōbu Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibō Line, Narita Line
Chiba Urban Monorail Line 1
Keisei Electric Railway Keisei Chiba Line, Keisei Chihara Line (Keisei Chiba Station)
CM04 Chibakōen 千葉公園 1.1
CM05 Sakusabe 作草部 1.8
CM06 Tendai 天台 2.5
CM07 Anagawa 穴川 3.4
CM08 Sports Center スポーツセンター 4.0
CM09 Dōbutsu-Kōen 動物公園 5.2
CM10 Mitsuwadai みつわ台 6.2
CM11 Tsuga 都賀 7.7 JR East: Sōbu Line, Narita Line
CM12 Sakuragi 桜木 9.0
CM13 Oguradai 小倉台 10.2
CM14 Chishirodai-Kita 千城台北 11.2
CM15 Chishirodai 千城台 12.0

Extension Plans
Chiba Monorail Map
Line 1
 Chiba-Minato
Line 1
 Shiyakusho-Mae
Highway 357
Highway 14
Line 1&2 transfer
 Chiba Station
Line 1
 Sakaecho
Highway 14
Line 1
 Yoshikawa-koen
Line 1
 Kencho-mae
Line 2
 Chiba-Koen
Line 2
 Sakusabe
Line 2
 Tendai
Line 2
 Anagawa
Highway 16
Line 2
 Sports Center
Line 2
 Zoo
Line 2
 Mitsuwadai
Highway 64
Line 2
 Tsuga
Highway 51
Line 2
 Sakuragi
Line 2
 Oguraidai
Line 2
 Chishirodai-Kita
Line 2
 Chishirodai

Extensions of Line 1 have been proposed, notably a five-station, 3.4-km extension from Kenchō-mae Station to Chiba Municipal Aoba Hospital. However, in 2004 an evaluation committee found that there was no need for the extension, and proposed closing the underused segment from Chiba Station to Kencho-mae Station. An alternative 2 km extension to Chiba University is under consideration.

Special Tickets
  • Holiday Free Pass (ホリデーフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
    • Cost: Adults 620 yen, children 310 yen
    • Valid: All day on the day of purchase.
  • 2-Day Free Pass (2-DAYフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: Two consecutive days. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
    • Cost: Adults 1030 yen, children 520 yen
    • Valid: All day on the day of purchase.
  • Lunchtime Free Pass (お昼のお出かけフリーきっぷ)
    • Available: From 10AM to 6PM on weekdays.
    • Cost: Adults 620 yen, children 310 yen
    • Valid: From 10AM to 6PM on day purchased.

Note: can be used at 60 locations for special discounts and services on the day of purchase.

See also
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