Overview | |||
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Native name | 大阪市営地下鉄 Ōsaka-shiei chikatetsu |
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Locale | Osaka and Keihanshin region, Japan | ||
Transit type | Metro | ||
Number of lines | 8 (+ 1 People Mover) | ||
Number of stations |
123 133 (incl. People Mover) |
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Daily ridership | 2,464,000 (FY2013) | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | May 20, 1933 | ||
Operator(s) | Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 129.9 km (80.7 mi) 137.8 km (85.6 mi) (incl. People Mover) |
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Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
Electrification | Third rail lines: 750 V DC, third rail Sakaisuji Line and linear motor metro lines: 1,500 V DC, overhead lines |
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Top speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) | ||
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Osaka Municipal Subway (大阪市営地下鉄 Ōsaka-shiei chikatetsu?) is the metro network in the city of Osaka (and also serving Higashiosaka, Kadoma, Moriguchi, Sakai, Suita, and Yao), Japan, forming an integral part of the extensive mass transit system of Greater Osaka (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 subway accounts for 2.29 million. It is operated by the Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau. The Osaka Municipal Subway holds the distinction of being the only subway system in Japan to be legally classified as a tramway, whereas all other subway systems in Japan are legally classified as railways. Despite this, the Osaka Municipal Subway has characteristics typical of that of a full-fledged metro system.
The Midōsuji Line is the main and busiest line in the whole subway network.
Each station is numbered by the letter the train line starts with and a number, for example, Higobashi Station on the Yotsubashi Line is also known as Y12. All directional signs are written in Japanese and English. On trains, the next station, transfer lines and which side the door will open is automatically announced in Japanese, followed by and automated English announcement, which includes the station number. Local businesses near the next station are then announced in Japanese.