The Kama-Kama Line (蒲蒲線, Kama-kama sen), also known as the New Airport Line (新空港線, Shin-kūkō-sen) is a proposed 3.1 km railway line in the city of Ota, Tokyo, Japan, connecting the Tōkyū Tamagawa Line (which currently terminates at Kamata Station) to the Keikyū Airport Line (which currently terminates at Keikyū Kamata Station).[1] One envisioned purpose of the line is to carry Haneda traffic to and from central Tokyo stations such as Ikebukuro and Shibuya via the Tokyu network and the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line.[1]

Kama-Kama Line
Overview
Other name(s)New Airport Line
Native name蒲蒲線
StatusPlanning
LocaleOta, Tokyo, Japan
Stations2
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Operator(s)Tokyu Corporation and Haneda Airport Line
History
Opened2035 (planned)
Technical
Line length3.1 km (1.9 mi)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V
Route map

Yaguchinowatashi
Kamata
Keikyu-Kamata
Kojiya
Otorii

Design and configuration

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The new line is designed to branch off from the Tokyu Tamagawa Line near Yaguchinowatashi Station, and from there enter a 1.7 km tunnel which would include new underground stations at Kamata and Keikyu Kamata. The line would emerge from the tunnel past Keikyu Kamata to join the Keikyu Airport Line between Kojiya Station and Otorii Station.[2]

History

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The Kamata district's two major train stations, Kamata and Keikyu Kamata, are located 800 meters apart, and a transfer between the stations requires a 10-minute walk. Ota City has had plans to connect the stations since 1982, but profitability and connectivity to Haneda Airport were major issues that delayed the project for years.[3]

One major issue with the project is that there is a difference in track gauge between the Tokyu Tamagawa Line, which uses 3 ft 6 in gauge, and the Keikyu Airport Line, which uses standard gauge. Ota City's proposal to address this issue called for the line to initially terminate at Keikyu Kamata, allowing same-station transfers between Tokyu and Keikyu trains at Kamata, and then to eventually offer through service to the Airport Line either by using Gauge Change Trains or by upgrading the Airport Line to dual gauge.[4]

Although the Tokyo metropolitan government indicated skepticism about the need for the line, Ota has promoted its construction to national government officials. A study released by Ota in December 2015 estimated the economic impact of the line at around 239 billion yen, of which construction impact would account for around 184 billion yen and passenger consumption impact would account for around 54 billion yen.[5]

The Ota and Tokyo governments agreed in 2022 to divide the cost of the line, aiming to commence operation in 2035. As of 2022, the estimated project cost was 136 billion yen, and it was projected that the line would turn a profit after 17 years of operation.[2] A third sector operating company, Haneda Airport Line, was founded in October 2022 with investment from Ota City and Tokyu.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rail extension proposed to boost Haneda airport accessibility". The Japan Times. Jiji. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b "【速報】「蒲蒲線」地方負担で合意 東京都3割・大田区7割 2035年開業へ 総事業費は1360億円". nippon.com (in Japanese). 6 June 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  3. ^ "1360億円の「蒲蒲線」始動 羽田直通は未定、阻む368ミリの差:朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). 15 January 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. ^ "蒲蒲線(新空港線)|鉄道計画データベース". railproject.tabiris.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  5. ^ "蒲蒲線、経済効果2385億円 大田区試算、国に事業化要望". The Nikkei. No. Morning edition. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  6. ^ "JR~京急蒲田「新空港線」整備に16億円の予算案 事業資金に駅再開発など「本格始動」へ(乗りものニュース)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 February 2023.