Sōbu Main Line

to hyper increase commuter demand, and it determined that a new rapid line would be constructed from Tokyo Station to Chiba. A new underground line from Tokyo to Kinshichō, and four-tracked section to Tsudanuma were opened in 1972, and the operator began frequent rapid service from Tokyo to Chiba, where four-tracked from Tsudanuma in 1981. The line was succeeded by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) from 1987. The parallelling Keiyō Line was opened closer to the coast in 1990, first constructed for freight service but later for relieve passengers, however, Sōbu Main Line is still crowded in the mornings.

On the east of Chiba, electrification reached at Chōshi in 1974, and Limited Express "Shiosai" has been operated from the underground Tokyo Station since 1975. Freight services from Chōshi ceased in 1986, just before the privatalization of JNR, and regular passenger trains stopped using the Ryōgoku terminal platforms in 1988. JR East started new airport train, Narita Express in 1991.

Stations

Tokyo - Kinshichō - Chiba

"See Sōbu Line (Rapid) for rapid trains."

Ochanomizu - Kinshichō - Chiba

"See Chūō-Sōbu Line for local trains."

Chiba - Chōshi

For distances, connections and stops of rapid trains, see the route diagram.

References and footnotes

*
location = Tokyo
language = Japanese
ISBN=4 88548 099 X

ee also

*Tōbu Noda Line, built by a company of the same name, Sōbu Railway (2nd)