Tokyo Metro
Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ Tōkyō Metoro) is the leading operator of underground lines in Tokyo, beating rival Toei by 9 lines to 4. Until 2004 it was known as Teito Rapid Transit Authority (帝都高速度交通営団 Teito Kōsokudo Kōtsū Eidan), though those with less patience and / or a shortage of breath preferred to refer to it as Eidan or TRTA.
The difference between Tokyo Metro and the Toei underground network is that Tokyo Metro is a private company jointly owned by the city of Tokyo and the government of Japan, while Toei is part of the Tokyo city transport department. Perfectly logical, unless you think about it.
The nine Tokyo Metro lines are as follows:
- Chiyoda Line
- Fukutoshin Line
- Ginza Line
- Hanzomon Line
- Hibiya Line
- Marunouchi Line
- Namboku Line
- Tozai Line
- Yurakucho Line
The Ginza Line has the distinction of being Asia's oldest underground line, while the recently opened Fukutoshin Line is Tokyo's newest, and probably the last one to be constructed for a while, or until the right stuffed envelopes are placed in the right pockets.
All lines except the Ginza and Marunouchi lines have interrunning arrangements with other private and JR lines.