Nankō Port Town Line

The Nankō Port Town Line(南港ポートタウン線, Nankō Pōto-taun-sen), also called New Tram, is an automated guideway transit line in Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Japan. The line is operated by Osaka Metro, and was constructed to serve as the main rapid transit line for newly built Osaka South Port habitations and facilities. An extension of the line from Cosmosquare to Trade Center-mae was once owned and operated by a subsidiary of the City of Osaka, Osaka Port Transport System Co., Ltd.[ja]. The operation of the section was later merged into Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau itself to increase the number of passengers by reducing fares and simplifying the previously separate fare structures.

Stations

All stations are in Suminoe-ku, Osaka.

Rolling stock

As of 1 April 2019[update], the following train types are used on the line, all formed as four-car sets.

• 200 series four-car sets (since 29 June 2016)

200 series

A fleet of four-car 200 series trainsets was introduced between 2016 and March 2017, all finished in different colour liveries. The first set, 01, entered revenue service on 29 June 2016, followed by the second set, 02, in October 2016.

As of July 2019[update], the 200 series fleet consists of twenty sets (numbered 01 to 21 (excluding 13)), and formed as follows. The trains have stainless steel bodies.

• 200 series set 01 in May 2016
• 200 series set 02 in March 2017
• 200 series set 03 in June 2017
• 200 series set 04 in May 2017
• 200 series set 05 in May 2017
• 200 series set 06 in May 2017
• 200 series set 07 in May 2017
• 200 series set 14 in November 2018

Former rolling stock

• 100 series (1981–2001)
• 100A series (1991-2019)

• A preserved 100 series car in November 2011
• 100A series set 20 in December 2015

History

• March 16, 1981 – The Nankō Port Town Line from Nakafuto to Suminoekōen opened, making it the second-oldest AGT line in Japan after Kobe's Port Island Line, and the first licensed application of the Vought Airtrans people mover system outside the United States. Trains run using GoA2 semi-automatic mode with driver on board, and all stations are fitted with full-height platform screen doors, a first in Osaka.
• October 20, 1991 – 100A series trains begin operations, along with fully automatic GoA4 operations.
• October 5, 1993 – Operations were suspended due to an accident that occurred at Suminoekōen Station; operations resumed on November 19, 1993 in GoA2 semi-automatic mode.
• December 18, 1997 – The Osaka Port Transport System Co., Ltd. New Tram Technoport Line(ニュートラムテクノポート線) from Cosmosquare to Nakafutō opened.
• February 20, 2000 – Unattended GoA4 operations resume.
• July 1, 2005 – The OTS New Tram Technoport Line was merged to the Nankō Port Town Line.

Statistics

• Distance: 7.9 km (incl. former OTS Line 1.3 km)
• Power: 600 V three phase AC, side contact
• Line color: cerulean blue
• Symbol letter: P

See also

• Transport in Keihanshin
• List of rapid transit systems