Transit type Rubber-tyred metro Number of stations 49 | Number of lines 3 Began operation December 16, 1971 | |
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Native name 札幌市営地下鉄
Sapporo-shiei-chikatetsu Locale Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan | ||
The Sapporo Municipal Subway (札幌市営地下鉄, Sapporo-shiei-chikatetsu) is an underground rubber-tyred metro system in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau.
Contents
Lines
The system consists of three lines: the green Namboku Line (North-South line), orange Tozai Line (East-West line), and blue Tōhō Line. The first, the Namboku Line, was opened in 1971 prior to the 1972 Winter Olympics. The Sapporo City Subway system operates out of two main hubs: Sapporo Station and Odori Station. Most areas of the city are within a reasonable walking distance or short bus ride from one of the subway stations.
The three lines all connect at Sapporo Station with the JR Hokkaido main lines. At Odori and Susukino stations, it connects to the streetcar (tram) above. The system has a total length of 48 km with 46 stations.
Technology and rolling stock
All lines of the subway use rubber-tired trains that travel on two flat steel roll ways, guided by a single central rail. This system is unique among subways in Japan and the rest of the world; while other rubber-tired metro networks use guide bars, the Sapporo system does not because the central rail makes them superfluous (similar to some guided buses, such as the Translohr).
Namboku Line
Tōzai Line
Tōhō Line
Fares
Ticket prices range from 200 yen to 360 yen, depending on the distance to travel. Day passes and discount passes can be purchased at the vending machines. Prepaid "With You" cards can be used for the subway, streetcar and regular city routes offered by JR Hokkaido Bus, Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus.
One-day Cards offer unlimited rides on the subway, streetcar, and regular city routes offered by the Chuo, Jotetsu, and JR Hokkaido Buses (excluding some suburban areas) on the day of purchase. A subway one-day card, for use only on the subway, is also available. Donichika-Tickets allow for unlimited one-day ride pass for the subway to be used only on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.
Commuter passes offer unlimited rides between specific stations during their period of validity. There are two types of commuter pass: one for those commuting to their workplace and one for students; both are available for one- or three-month periods, and can be purchased from commuter pass sales offices located at major stations. All stations accept the SAPICA rechargeable IC cards which can be used as a fare card for the subway.
Shopping areas
There are two main shopping areas located underground, connected to the exits of three central stations on the Namboku line: Sapporo Station, Susukino Station, and Odori Station. Pole Town is an extensive shopping area that lies between Susukino and Odori stations. Aurora Town is a shopping arcade that is connected to Sapporo station. It links some of the main shopping malls in Sapporo, such as Daimaru, JR Tower, Esta, and Stellar Palace.