The Sōtetsu Shin-yokohama Line is a commuter line operated by Sotetsu between Nishiya Station on the Sōtetsu Main Line to Shin-Yokohama Station. Sōtetsu has put its company names as a formal part of the line names, which is a first for the company.
It is a part of the Eastern Kanagawa Rail Link strategic plan for improving the rail network connectivity of Kanagawa Prefecture. The rail infrastructures of this line are maintained by the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT). Sōtetsu collects the operation revenue and pays JRTT for using the rail infrastructures, then JRTT use this payment to maintain the infrastructures and reimburse the loan for the construction of this line.[1]
The Sōtetsu Shin-yokohama Line opened on 30 November 2019 and the extension to Shin-yokohama opened on 18 March 2023.[2][3]
Summary
Sōtetsu Main Line and Sōtetsu Izumino Line trains operates through services with JR East via Hazawa Yokohama Kokudai; and planned through service with Tōkyū, Toei Subway Lines via Hiyoshi. The former is named the Sōtetsu JR Link Line. Moreover, Sōtetsu has been promoting the project as the "Metropolitan Through Service Project" (都心直通プロジェクト), as the link will enable connection from eastern Kanagawa into central Tokyo, and further north towards Saitama.
The new facilities at Shin-yokohama Station are jointly operated by Sōtetsu and Tōkyū. This is the first case for both operators to have a station with direct connections to the Shinkansen.
Routes and services
Through service to/from Tōkyū
Tōkyū through service trains will enter the Tōkyū Line network from Shin-yokohama, and continue towards Shibuya via the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line or Meguro via Tōkyū Meguro Line.
Regarding the Tōyoko Line, beyond Shin-yokohama and Nishiya, Tōyoko line trains will run express service along the Izumino Line to Shōnandai station.
Regarding the Meguro Line, once connected to the Sōtetsu network at Shin-yokohama, Meguro line trains will run express along the Main Line to Ebina station.
Sōtetsu has introduced its 20000 series which is to be used in Tōkyū through services, and has been in service since February 2018. The 20000 series will be produced in 10-car sets and 8-cars, with the 10-car sets not entering the Tōkyū Meguro Line and the Toei Mita Line.[4] Moreover, the 20000 series is not intended to be used on JR through services.
The station numbers for the Sōtetsu Shin-yokohama Line's Shin-yokohama station was revealed on 16 September 2022.[5]
As of November 2022, various trainsets from Sōtetsu, Tōkyū, Tokyo Metro, Toei, and Tōbu have been conducting tests along the now completed segment of this line and the Tōkyū Shin-yokohama Line between Hiyoshi and Hazawa Yokohama-Kokudai.
On 16 December 2022, Sōtetsu, Tōkyū, and the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency announced that the Sōtetsu Shin-yokohama Line's extension to Shin-yokohama will open on 18 March 2023.[3] The Shin-yokohama Line opened as scheduled on 18 March 2023, providing through service between Shin-yokohama and Hiyoshi.[6]
Station list
- All stations are located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
| Station no. | Station name | Distance | Interchange | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Japanese | Between stations | Total | |||
| ↑ Through-running to/from ↑
| ||||||
|
Nishiya | 西谷 | - | 0.0 |  Sōtetsu Main Line (for Hoshikawa and Yokohama)
|
Hodogaya-ku |
|
Hazawa yokohama-kokudai | 羽沢横浜国大 | 2.7 | 2.7 | Sōtetsu–JR Link Line | Kanagawa-ku |
|
Shin-yokohama | 新横浜 | - | - |  Tōkaidō ShinkansenJH Yokohama Line (JH16)  Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line (B25)
|
Kōhoku-ku |
| ↓ Through-running to/from ↓
From Hazawa Yokohama Kokudai: JR East: JA Saikyō Line & Kawagoe Line for Shinjuku, Kawagoe, and Ōmiya (via JS Shōnan-Shinjuku Line) TY Tōkyū Tōyoko Line for Shibuya & FTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line towards Wakoshi (via SH Tōkyū Shin-yokohama Line) MG Tōkyū Meguro Line & I Toei Mita Line for Meguro and Nishi-Takashimadaira / NTokyo Metro Namboku Line towards Akabane-iwabuchi (via SH Tōkyū Shin-yokohama Line) | ||||||
Rolling stock
- JR East E233-7000 series 10-car trains
- Sotetsu 12000 series 10-car trains
- Sotetsu 20000 series 10-car trains
- Sotetsu 21000 series 8-car trains
- Tokyu 5050-4000 series 10-car trains
- Tokyu 5080 series 8-car trains
- Tokyu 3000 series 8-car trains
- Tokyu 3020 series 8-car trains
-
JR East E233-7000 series -
Sotetsu 12000 series -
Sotetsu 20000/21000 series -
Tokyu 5050-4000 Series -
Tokyu 5080 series -
Tokyu 3000 series -
Tokyu 3020 series
References
- ^ 整備手法（都市鉄道等利便増進法） (in Japanese), Sōtetsu–JR Link Line, Sōtetsu–Tōkyū Link Line, retrieved 15 March 2023
- ^ "「相鉄・東急直通線」2023年3月開業へ 連絡線と駅2つを新設" ["Sotetsu/Tokyu Link line" to open in March 2023, New connecting line and two new stations] (in Japanese). Asahi Shimbun. 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ a b "相模鉄道，3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施" [Sagami Railway implements timetable revision on March 18]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ 相鉄グループ１００周年記念 都心直通用 新型車両「２００００系」を導入 ベビーカーや車椅子にも優しい車両 [Sotetsu Group 100 Anniversary: Introducing the New Rolling Stock "20000 series", to be used for Metropolis Through Service; A Baby Pram and Wheelchair Friendly Train] (PDF). Sotetsu Group (in Japanese). 5 June 2017.
- ^ "開業 PR ロゴ・駅ナンバーを決定しました" [Opening PR logo and station number decided] (PDF). sotetsu.co.jp (in Japanese). 16 September 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "New railway link shortens ride from Kanagawa into Tokyo - The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis". The Asahi Shimbun. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
