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Airport Narita

For the international airport in Chiba Prefecture, see Narita International Airport.

Airport Narita
E217 series EMU on an Airport Narita service, August 2009
Overview
Service typeRapid
LocaleYokosuka Line, Sōbu line, Narita Line
First service20 April 1991
Last service16 March 2018 (service continues operation today, just without the name)
Current operator(s)JR East
Route
TerminiKurihama
Narita Airport Terminal 1
Distance travelled152.5 km (94.8 mi)
On-board services
Class(es)Standard + Green
Seating arrangementsLongitudinal/transverse
Catering facilitiesNone
Technical
Rolling stockE217 series EMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead

The Airport Narita (エアポート成田, Eapōto Narita) was the name given to a "Rapid" limited-stop suburban rail service in Greater Tokyo operated since April 1991 by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It ran from Kurihama to Narita Airport Terminal 1 via the Yokosuka, Sōbu, and Narita lines, with a total length of 152.5 km. Only trains heading towards Narita Airport were identified as Airport Narita; those on the return journey towards Tokyo were unnamed.[1]

Route

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Kurihama → Ōfuna → Tokyo

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See Yokosuka Line for local trains.

Tokyo → Kinshichō → Chiba

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See Sōbu Line (Rapid) for rapid trains.

Chiba → Sakura → Narita → Narita Airport Terminal 1

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Chiba - Tsuga - Yotsukaidō - Monoi - Sakura - Shisui - Narita - Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 - Narita Airport Terminal 1

Rolling stock

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Destination indicator

All Airport Narita services were operated using E217 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains.[citation needed]

History

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The Airport Narita rapid services were introduced from 20 April 1991 to supplement the popular Narita Express limited express services which commenced the previous month.[2] Initially, 16 services ran in each direction daily, using 113 series EMU formations based at Ōfuna and Makuhari depots.[2] Trains including SaRo 124 Green (first class) cars were allocated to these services, as these had expanded luggage storage space.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2018, the name Airport Narita was discontinued on rapid services to Narita Airport, in order to avoid confusion with the limited express Narita Express services which also serve Narita International Airport. The service itself continues to operate as of 2024, just without the Airport Narita name.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ JR Timetable, April 2011 issue
  2. ^ a b c JR急行・快速列車 [JR Express & Rapid Trains]. Tokyo, Japan: Railway Journal. 2 November 1991. p. 53.
  3. ^ JR東日本、成田空港行「エアポート成田」の愛称使用取りやめへ [JR East to discontinue "Airport Narita" name] (in Japanese). Japan: Tetsudo Shimbun. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.