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Friday, 13th June 2008
In Japan Travel News,

New Tokyo underground train line 'ready to go'

This week saw the first services running on Tokyo's newest subway line.

Covering a total distance of 20.2 kilometres and connecting the major districts of Shibuya, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, the line was formally opened by city governor, Shitaro Ishihara.

Speakign at the opening a ceremony at Shinjuku Sanchome Station Ishihara pointed to the importance of public transport in the development of the city.

"Whether an urban area can mature depends on efficient means of transportation. The new line will lead to the vitalisation of Tokyo," he said.

The Fukutoshin line is the first to open since the Tsukuba Express in
2005 and is expected by the operators Tokyo Metro to service up to 150,000 passengers a day.

With over 300 kilometres of track and nearly 3 billion passengers a year Tokyo boasts the world's second busiest subway system after Moscow.