Osaka Metro
The Osaka Metro (大阪メトロ, Ōsaka Metoro) is a major rapid transit system in the Osaka Metropolitan Area of Japan, operated by the Osaka Metro Company, Ltd. It serves the city of Osaka and the adjacent municipalities of Higashiosaka, Kadoma, Moriguchi, Sakai, Suita, and Yao. Osaka Metro forms an integral part of the extensive mass transit system of Greater Osaka (part of the Kansai region), having 123 out of the 1,108 rail stations (2007) in the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto region. In 2010, the greater Osaka region had 13 million rail passengers daily (see Transport in Keihanshin) of which the Osaka Municipal Subway (as it was then known) accounted for 2.29 million.
| Osaka Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Top: 21 series and 30000 series trains on the Midōsuji Line. Bottom: A 400 series train on the Chuo Line. | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 大阪メトロ | ||
| Owner | Osaka Municipal Government through Osaka Metro Co., Ltd | ||
| Locale | Keihanshin region, Japan | ||
| Transit type | Tram and rail (de jure) Metro; AGT (de facto) | ||
| Number of lines | 8 (+ 1 People Mover) | ||
| Number of stations | 123 133 (incl. People Mover) | ||
| Daily ridership | 2,464,000 (FY2013) | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 20 May 1933 | ||
| Operator(s) | Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau (1933–March 31, 2018) Osaka Metro Co. (April 1, 2018–present; 100% owned by the Osaka Municipal Government) | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 129.9 km (80.7 mi) 137.8 km (85.6 mi) (incl. People Mover) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Electrification | 750 V DC third rail 1,500 V DC overhead catenary (Sakaisuji, Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi and Imazatosuji lines) 600 V 3-phase AC 60 Hz third rail (Nankō Port Town Line) | ||
| Top speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) | ||
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Osaka Metro is the only subway system in Japan to be partially legally classified as a tram system, whereas all other subway systems in Japan are legally classified as railways. Despite this, it has characteristics typical of a full-fledged metro system.