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Keiyō Line

{{short description|Railway line in Japan}}

{{distinguish|text=the Keiō Line}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox rail line

| box_width =

| name = Keiyō Line

| native_name = 京葉線

| native_name_lang = ja

| color = DC143C

| logo = {{JRLS|JE|size=25}}

| logo_width =

| image = Series-E233-5000-502F.jpg

| image_width = 300px

| caption = A Keiyō Line E233-5000 series EMU in May 2018

| type = Commuter rail

| system =

| status = Operational

| locale = Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture

| start = {{STN|Tokyo|x}}

| end = {{STN|Soga|x}}

| stations = 19

| routes =

| daily_ridership = 714,053 (Daily 2015){{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001179760.pdf|title=平成27年 大都市交通センサス 首都圏報告書 |website=P.92|publisher=国土交通省}}

| open = 1975

| close =

| owner = JR East

| operator = 23px JR East

| character = Underground, at-grade, elevated

| depot = Narashino

| stock = E233-5000 series, 209-500 series

| linelength = {{convert|43|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| tracklength =

| tracks =

| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}

| electrification = 1,500 V DC overhead catenary

| speed = 100 km/h (62 mph)

| elevation =

| map = 250px

| map_state = collapsed

}}

The {{nihongo|Keiyō Line|京葉線|Keiyō-sen}} is a railway line connecting Tokyo and Chiba in Japan, paralleling the edge of Tokyo Bay. It is operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The line forms part of what JR East refers to as the {{Nihongo|"Tokyo Mega Loop"|東京メガループ}} around Tokyo, consisting of the Keiyō Line, Musashino Line, Nambu Line, and Yokohama Line.{{cite magazine|last =Saka |first = Masayuki |script-title=ja:東京メガループ 車両・路線の沿革と現況 |trans-title=Tokyo Megaloop: History and current situation of trains and line |magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine |volume = 43|issue = 364 |pages=28–39 |publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun |location = Japan |language= ja |date = August 2014}} It provides the main rail access to Tokyo Disney Resort and the Makuhari Messe exhibition center.

The terminus at Tokyo Station is located underground, some distance to the south of the main station complex approximately halfway to Yūrakuchō Station. This means transferring between other lines at Tokyo Station can take between 15 and 20 minutes.

The name "Keiyō" is derived from the second character of the names of the locations linked by the line, {{nihongo|Tokyo|東京}} and {{nihongo|Chiba|千葉}}. It should not be confused with the Keiō Line, a privately operated commuter line in western Tokyo.

Services

File:KeiyoLineStations.png

  • {{Color box|DodgerBlue}} Keiyō Line "Local" (各駅停車 kakueki-teisha)trains stop at all stations between Tokyo and Soga except Nishi-Funabashi.
  • {{Color box|OrangeRed}} Musashino Line Local through trains stop at all stations between Tokyo and Nishi-Funabashi before continuing to the Musashino Line. Some trains originate at Kaihin-Makuhari, stopping at Makuhari-Toyosuna, Shin-Narashino, Minami-Funabashi, and Nishi-Funabashi before continuing onto the Musashino Line.
  • {{Color box|MediumSeaGreen}} Keiyō Line "Rapid" (快速 kaisoku) trains stop at Tokyo, Hatchōbori, Shin-Kiba, Maihama, Shin-Urayasu, Minami-Funabashi, Kaihin-Makuhari, and all stops to Soga.

= Former service =

  • {{Color box|Crimson}} {{nihongo|Commuter rapid service|通勤快速|tsūkin-kaisoku}} trains stopped at Tokyo, Hatchōbori, Shin-Kiba, and Soga, with many operating through to the Sotobo line and Togane line, terminating at Naruto, Katsuura, or Kazusa-Ichinomiya. Commuter rapid trains traveled into Tokyo during the morning rush hour, and away from Tokyo during the evening rush hour. The commuter rapid service was discontinued with effect from the timetable revision implemented on 16 March 2024.{{cite web |title=京葉線で通勤快速列車の運転終了 |trans-title=Commuter Rapid service on Keiyo Line ended |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/03/16/052700.html |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |access-date=14 April 2024 |location=Japan |language=Japanese |date=16 March 2024}}

2024 timetable revision

With the JR East timetable revision on 16 March 2024, the Keiyo line now has reduced rapid services across the day, and abolished the commuter rapid services during rush hours. Specifically, rapid trains no longer operate in the morning and evening rush hours, with only 2 rapid services originating in Soga remaining. During these times of the day, only local all-stop trains operate. Subsequently, the Wakashio and Sazanami limited express services are the only express services from the Uchibo and Sotobo lines during rush hours.

The government of Chiba condemned the timetable revision, stating that it has caused inconvenience for commuters to and from central Tokyo who travel long distances from Chiba, as local trains take up to 15 minutes longer than rapid services across the entirety of the line. Furthermore, this places some areas of Chiba Prefecture out of the 1-hour commute zone from Central Tokyo, reducing land value, and causing further reason for a decease in population. Some have theorised that this is a strategy by the Tokyo government to centralise the population around the city's core, discouraging long distance commutes.

Station list

  • All trains (except limited express services) stop at stations marked "●" and pass those marked "｜". Trains do not travel past those stations marked "∥".
  • For the Wakashio and Sazanami limited express services, see their respective articles.

class="wikitable"
rowspan="2" |No.

!rowspan="2" |Station

!rowspan="2" |Japanese

!colspan="2" |Distance (km)

!colspan="2" |Keiyō
Line

!colspan="2" |Musashino
Line (thru)

!rowspan="2" |Transfers

!rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Location

Between
stations

!Total

!style="background:DodgerBlue;"|Local

!style="background:MediumSeaGreen;"|Rapid

!style="background:#fd9;"|Musashino-Chiba

!style="background:#fd9;"|Musashino-Tokyo

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|01|tlc=TYO|size=40}}

|{{STN|Tokyo|x}}

|東京

|style="text-align:right;"| -

|style="text-align:right;"|0.0

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|rowspan="9"| 

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|style="white-space:nowrap;"|{{Plainlist|

}}

|style="white-space:nowrap;"|Chiyoda

|rowspan="6" |Tokyo

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|02|size=40}}

|{{STN|Hatchōbori|x|Tokyo}}

|八丁堀

|style="text-align:right;"|1.2

|style="text-align:right;"|1.2

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|{{TSLS|H}} Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (H-12)

|Chūō

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|03|size=40}}

|{{STN|Etchūjima|x}}

|越中島

|style="text-align:right;"|1.6

|style="text-align:right;"|2.8

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

|rowspan="3"|Kōtō

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|04|size=40}}

|{{STN|Shiomi|x|Tokyo}}

|潮見

|style="text-align:right;"|2.6

|style="text-align:right;"|5.4

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|05|size=40}}

|{{STN|Shin-Kiba|x}}

|新木場

|style="text-align:right;"|2.0

|style="text-align:right;"|7.4

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|{{Plainlist|

}}

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|06|size=40}}

|{{STN|Kasai-Rinkai Park|x}}

|葛西臨海公園

|style="text-align:right;"|3.2

|style="text-align:right;"|10.6

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

|Edogawa

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|07|size=40}}

|{{STN|Maihama|x}}

|舞浜

|style="text-align:right;"|2.1

|style="text-align:right;"|12.7

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|Disney Resort Line ({{STN|Resort Gateway|x}})

|rowspan="2"|Urayasu

|rowspan="13"|Chiba

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|08|size=40}}

|{{STN|Shin-Urayasu|x}}

|新浦安

|style="text-align:right;"|3.4

|style="text-align:right;"|16.1

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|09|size=40}}

|{{STN|Ichikawashiohama|x}}

|市川塩浜

|style="text-align:right;"|2.1

|style="text-align:right;"|18.2

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

|Ichikawa

align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|10|size=40}}

|style="border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|{{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}}

|style="border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|西船橋

|style="text-align:right; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|5.9

|style="text-align:right; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|24.1

|style="text-align:center; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|∥
Keiyō trains between Tokyo and Soga do not pass through Nishi-Funabashi.

|style="text-align:center; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|∥

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center; border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|●

|style="border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|{{Plainlist|

}}

|style="border-bottom:2px solid #999;"|Funabashi

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|10|size=40}}

|{{STN|Futamatashimmachi|x}}

|二俣新町

|style="text-align:right;"|4.4

|style="text-align:right;"|22.6

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="text-align:center;"|∥
Musashino Line trains do not pass through Futamatashimmachi.

|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="9"|

|Distance is from Ichikawashiohama

|Ichikawa

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|11|size=40}}

|{{STN|Minami-Funabashi|x}}

|南船橋

|style="text-align:right;"|3.4

|style="text-align:right;"|26.0

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|Distance between Nishi-Funabashi and Minami-Funabashi is 5.4 km

|Funabashi

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|12|size=40}}

|{{STN|Shin-Narashino|x}}

|新習志野

|style="text-align:right;"|2.3

|style="text-align:right;"|28.3

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

|Narashino

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|13|size=40}}

|{{STN|Makuhari-Toyosuna|x}}

|幕張豊砂

|style="text-align:right;"|1.7

|style="text-align:right;"|30.0

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|｜

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

|New station which opened on 18 March 2023.{{cite web|url=http://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kigyou/kensetsu/shin-eki/h28/kihontyousakekka.html|script-title=ja:幕張新都心拡大地区新駅設置に係る基本調査結果の概要について|publisher=Chiba Prefectural Government|location=Japan|language=ja|access-date=4 February 2017|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811151047/https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kigyou/kensetsu/shin-eki/h28/kihontyousakekka.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/chiba/news/pdf/pre2010_makusin.pdf|script-title=ja:幕張新都心拡大地区新駅の事業進捗について|date=30 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2022/chiba/20221216_c01.pdf|script-title=ja:２０２３年３月にダイヤ改正をについて|trans-title=About the March 2023 timetable revision|date=12 December 2022}}

|rowspan="4"|Mihama-ku, Chiba

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|14|size=40}}

|{{STN|Kaihin-Makuhari|x}}

|海浜幕張

|style="text-align:right;"|1.7

|style="text-align:right;"|31.7

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:#fd9; text-align:center;"|●

| 

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|15|size=40}}

|{{STN|Kemigawahama|x}}

|検見川浜

|style="text-align:right;"|2.0

|style="text-align:right;"|33.7

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|rowspan="4"| 

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|16|size=40}}

|{{STN|Inagekaigan|x}}

|稲毛海岸

|style="text-align:right;"|1.6

|style="text-align:right;"|35.3

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

| 

align="center"|{{JRSN|JE|17|size=40}}

|{{STN|Chibaminato|x}}

|千葉みなと

|style="text-align:right;"|3.7

|style="text-align:right;"|39.0

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|Chiba Urban Monorail: Line 1

|rowspan="2"|Chūō-ku, Chiba

align="center"|—

|{{STN|Soga|x}}

|蘇我

|style="text-align:right;"|4.0

|style="text-align:right;"|43.0

|style="background:DodgerBlue; text-align:center;"|●

|style="background:MediumSeaGreen; text-align:center;"|●

|{{Plainlist|

  • {{Colorbull|DeepSkyBlue}} Uchibō Line
  • {{Colorbull|OrangeRed}} Sotobō Line (some through services to each)Some local and rapid trains run through to the Uchibō Line (mainly to {{STN|Kimitsu|x}} or {{STN|Kazusa-Minato|x}}) or the Sotobō Line (mainly {{STN|Kazusa-Ichinomiya|x}}, {{STN|Katsuura|x}}, and via the Tōgane Line to {{STN|Narutō|x}}).

}}

{{reflist|group=*}}

Rolling stock

All Keiyō Line and Musashino Line rolling stock is based at the Keiyō Rolling Stock Center near Shin-Narashino Station.

= Keiyō Line =

  • 209-500 series single 10-car EMU train set (magenta stripe) (since October 2008)
  • E233-5000 series 10-car EMUs (magenta stripe) (since 1 July 2010){{Cite web| title = E233系5000番代 営業運転開始 (E233-5000 series enters revenue service)| work = Hobidas| publisher = Neko Publishing| date = 1 July 2010| url = http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2010/07/jre2335000_3.html| language = ja| access-date = 24 March 2014| archive-date = 25 March 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170325091909/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2010/07/jre2335000_3.html| url-status = dead}}

= Musashino Line through services =

{{Main|Musashino Line#Rolling stock}}

  • 209-500 series 8-car EMUs (orange/brown stripe) (since 4 December 2010){{cite book |title = JR電車編成表 2013夏 |trans-title= JR EMU Formations - Summer 2013| publisher = JRR| date = May 2013| location = Japan| page = 47| isbn = 978-4-330-37313-3}}
  • E231-0 series 8-car EMUs (orange/brown stripe) (since November 2017)
  • E231-900 series 8-car EMU (orange/brown stripe) (since 20 July 2020){{cite web|url=https://train-fan.com/e231-900-mu1/|title=【元209系】E231系900番台試作車・MU1編成として武蔵野線で"再出発"|trans-title=[Former 209 series] E231-900 series prototype train restarts on Musashino Line as MU1|date=20 July 2020}}

File:Series209-500-Keiyo-Line.jpg|A Keiyo Line 209-500 series 10-car EMU

File:Series-E233-5000 520F.jpg|A Keiyo Line E233-5000 series 10-car EMU

File:Series 209-500-M71.jpg|A Musashino Line 209-500 series 8-car EMU

File:Series-E231-0-MU4F.jpg|A Musashino Line E231-0 series 8-car EMU

File:JR East E231-900 Series Keyo MU1.jpg|A Musashino Line E231-900 series 8-car EMU

Former rolling stock

= Keiyō Line =

  • 103 series 4/6/10-car EMUs (sky blue livery) (from 1986 until November 2005)
  • 165 series 3-car EMU (x1) Shuttle Maihama (from 1990 until 1995)
  • 201 series 10-car EMUs (sky blue livery) (from August 2000 until 20 June 2011){{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2011/06/21/090000.html|script-title=ja:京葉線の201系が定期運用を終える|trans-title= Keiyō Line 201 series withdrawn from regular service|date= 21 June 2011|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd. |location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 21 June 2011}}
  • 205-0 series 10-car EMUs (magenta stripe) (from March 1990 until 2011)
  • E331 series 14-car EMU (x1) (magenta stripe) (from March 2007 until 2011){{cite web |url= http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2014/03/jre331ak1.html|title= E331系AK1編成長野へ配給|trans-title= E331 series set AK1 moved to Nagano|date= 27 March 2014|work= RM News|publisher= Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140327073919/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2014/03/jre331ak1.html|archive-date= 27 March 2014|access-date= 10 April 2014}}

= Musashino Line through services =

Inter-running from the Musashino Line to the Keiyō Line commenced on 1 December 1988.{{cite book |script-title=ja: 首都圏鉄道完全ガイド 主要JR路線編 |trans-title=Tokyo Area Complete Railway Guide - Major JR Lines |publisher = Futabasha |date = 6 December 2013 |location = Japan |pages = 87–97 |isbn = 978-4-575-45414-7}}

  • 103 series 6-car (later 8-car) EMUs (orange livery) (from 1 December 1988 - 8 December 2005)
  • 201 series 6-car EMUs (orange livery) (from 1 December 1988 - November 1996)
  • 205-0 series 8-car EMUs (orange/brown stripe) (from December 1991 - October 2019)
  • 205-5000 series 8-car EMUs (orange/brown stripe) (from 2002 - 19 October 2020)

File:L25 Tc103-574 640.jpg|A Keiyo Line 103 series EMU

File:JRE-EC165-Shuttle-Maihama.jpg| A 165 series Shuttle Maihama EMU set, March 1990

File:201kei keiyou line.JPG|A Keiyo Line 201 series EMU, July 2010

File:Keiyo-205.jpg|A Keiyo Line 205-0 series EMU, April 2004

File:Keiyo-205_0.jpg|A Keiyo Line 205-0 series EMU, January 2009

File:JREast-E331.jpg|A Keiyo Line E331 series EMU, July 2006

File:103 set E34 Musashino Line Nishi-Kokubunji 20010808.jpg|A Musashino Line 103 series EMU, August 2001

File:Series205-0-M64.jpg|A Musashino Line 205-0 series EMU, December 2016

File:Series 205-5000-M16.jpg|A Musashino Line 205-5000 series EMU, March 2019

=Timeline=

{{Simple Horizontal timeline

|from=1985

|to=2022

|inc=5

|styleDefault-borderbottom=solid 0.1em black;

|row1=timeline

|row1-style=styleDefault

|row1-bordertop=solid 0.1em black;

|row1-1-from=1985

|row1-1-to=1986.1667

|row1-2-text= 103 series

|row1-2-text-colo

|row1-2-to=2005.9167

|row1-2-colour= DodgerBlue

|row1-3-to=2025

|row2=timeline

|row2-style=styleDefault

|row2-1-from=1985

|row2-1-to=1990.1667

|row2-2-text= 165 series

|row2-2-to=1996

|row2-2-colour= Crimson

|row2-3-to=2025

|row3=timeline

|row3-style=styleDefault

|row3-1-from=1985

|row3-1-to=1990.1667

|row3-2-text= 205 series

|row3-2-to=2011.5833

|row3-2-colour= Crimson

|row3-3-to=2025

|row4=timeline

|row4-style=styleDefault

|row4-1-from=1985

|row4-1-to=2000.5833

|row4-2-text= 201 series

|row4-2-to=2011.5000

|row4-2-colour= DodgerBlue

|row4-3-to=2025

|row5=timeline

|row5-style=styleDefault

|row5-1-from=1985

|row5-1-to=2007.1667

|row5-2-text= E331 series

|row5-2-to=2011.0833

|row5-2-colour= Crimson

|row5-3-to=2025

|row6=timeline

|row6-style=styleDefault

|row6-1-from=1985

|row6-1-to=2008.7500

|row6-2-text= 209-500 series

|row6-2-to=2025

|row6-2-colour= Crimson

|row6-3-to=2025

|row7=timeline

|row7-style=styleDefault

|row7-1-from=1985

|row7-1-to=2010.5000

|row7-2-text= E233-5000 series

|row7-2-to=2025

|row7-2-colour= Crimson

|row7-3-to=2025

|row11=timeline

|row11-style=styleDefault

|row11-1-from=1985

|row11-1-to=1988.9167

|row11-2-text= 103 series

|row11-2-to=2006

|row11-2-colour= OrangeRed

|row11-3-to=2025

|row12=timeline

|row12-style=styleDefault

|row12-1-from=1985

|row12-1-to=1988.9167

|row12-2-text= 201 series

|row12-2-to=1997

|row12-2-colour= OrangeRed

|row12-3-to=2025

|row13=timeline

|row13-style=styleDefault

|row13-1-from=1985

|row13-1-to=1991.9167

|row13-2-text= 205-0 series

|row13-2-to=2019.8333

|row13-2-colour= OrangeRed

|row13-3-to=2025

|row14=timeline

|row14-style=styleDefault

|row14-1-from=1985

|row14-1-to=2002.9167

|row14-2-text= 205-5000 series

|row14-2-to=2020.9167

|row14-2-colour= OrangeRed

|row14-3-to=2025

|row15=timeline

|row15-style=styleDefault

|row15-1-from=1985

|row15-1-to=2010.9167

|row15-2-text= 209-500 series

|row15-2-to=2025

|row15-2-colour= OrangeRed

|row15-3-to=2025

|row16=timeline

|row16-style=styleDefault

|row16-1-from=1985

|row16-1-to=2017.8333

|row16-2-text= E231-0 series

|row16-2-to=2025

|row16-2-colour= OrangeRed

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|caption= Rolling stock transitions since 1986

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History

The Keiyo Line was initially planned as a freight-only line. Its first section opened on 10 May 1975 as a {{Convert|6.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} link between the Chiba Freight Terminal (now the Mihama New Port Resort between Inagekaigan and Chibaminato Stations) and the freight yard next to Soga Station.{{cite book |title = 停車場変遷大辞典 国鉄・JR編 |trans-title= Station Transition Directory - JNR/JR|publisher = JTB| editor1-last = Ishino| editor1-first = Tetsu| year = 1998 |location = Japan| volume = I|page = 211 |isbn = 4-533-02980-9}} Passenger service began on 3 March 1986 between {{STN|Minami-Funabashi|x}} and {{STN|Chibaminato|x}}, and was extended east to Soga and west to Shin-Kiba on 1 December 1988.

Planners originally envisioned the Keiyo freight line to go to Tokyo Freight Terminal, with connections to Tokaido Main Line, thus completing the outer loop for freight trains around Tokyo formed by the Musashino Line.The Rinkai Line reused the partially completed tunnel from Shin-Kiba to Tokyo Freight Terminal, with portion of tracks within the latter serving as a depot. The disused tracks between Tokyo Freight Terminal and Tokaido Line is now planned to be used for the Haneda Access Line.

The final section of the Keiyo Line between Tokyo and Shin-Kiba opened on 10 March 1990. The platforms at Tokyo Station were originally built to accommodate the Narita Shinkansen, a planned (but never built) high-speed rail line between central Tokyo and Narita International Airport.{{cite news |date=4 February 2014 |title=東京駅の京葉線、なぜ遠い？近道は有楽町 成田新幹線構想を再利用 |trans-title=Why is Keiyo Line so far away at Tokyo Station? |url=http://www.nikkei.com/paper/article/?ng=DGKDZO66297530T00C14A2L83000 |access-date=4 February 2014 |newspaper=Nikkei Shimbun}} {{registration required}}

However, in the 1990s, as the artificial island of Odaiba began developing as a commercial and tourist area in the middle of the Rinkai Line route, the Rinkai Line was re-purposed for use as a passenger line. While there is a through connection between the Rinkai Line and the Keiyo Line, it is only used by passenger trains in charter service, usually carrying groups to the Tokyo Disney Resort.

=Timeline=

  • 3 March 1986: First stage opened between {{STN|Minami-Funabashi|x}} and {{STN|Chibaminato|x}}.{{cite magazine|last = Kubo |first =Satoshi |script-title=ja: 東京駅開業100周年-5 京葉線ターミナル|trans-title= Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary (5) Keiyo Line Terminal|magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine |volume = 55|issue = 652 |page =105 |publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd. |location = Japan |language = ja |date = August 2015}}
  • 1 December 1988: Second stage opened between {{STN|Shin-Kiba|x}} and Minami-Funabashi, and between {{STN|Ichikawa-Shiohama|x||Ichikawashiohama}} and {{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}}.
  • 10 March 1990: Third stage opened between {{STN|Tokyo|x}} & Shin-Kiba; and the new Keiyo Line train, the 205 series, was also introduced to the public.
  • 16 March 1991: Sazanami and Wakashio limited express services are rerouted via the Keiyo Line.
  • 2 July 1993: 255 series EMUs are introduced on View Sazanami and View Wakashio limited express services.
  • 16 October 2004: E257-500 series EMUs are introduced on Sazanami and Wakashio limited express services.
  • 20 August 2016: Station numbering introduced with Keiyo Line stations being assigned station numbers between JE01 (Tokyo) and JE16 (Chibaminato).{{Cite web |date=6 April 2016 |title=⾸都圏エリアへ 「駅ナンバリング」を導⼊します |trans-title=Introduce “station numbering” to the Tokyo metropolitan area |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207004741/https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=jreast.co.jp |language=ja}}{{Cite web |last=Kusamachi |first=Yoshikazu |date=7 April 2016 |title=JA・JK・JT・AKB…JR東日本、首都圏で駅ナンバリングなど導入へ |trans-title=JA, JK, JT, AKB … JR East to introduce station numbering in the Tokyo metropolitan area |url=https://response.jp/article/2016/04/07/273025.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806133507/https://response.jp/article/2016/04/07/273025.html |archive-date=6 August 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=Response Automotive Media |language=ja}}
  • 18 March 2023: Opening of Makuharitoyosuna Station between Kaihin-Makuhari and Shin-Narashino, station numbers from Kaihin-Makuhari to Chibaminato bumped up by one.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2023 |title=幕張新都心エリアの新駅「幕張豊砂駅」開業 千葉県内では25年ぶり |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/385194?display=1 |access-date=18 March 2023 |website=newsdig.tbs.co.jp}}
  • 16 March 2024: Rapid and Commuter Rapid services are abolished during the morning and evening rush hour, except for two westbound trips in the morning at the behest of the local and prefectural governments.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2024 |title=朝時間帯の2本が各駅停車から快速に変更へ！ 2024年3月ダイヤ改正内容の一部変更 |trans-title=Partial Changes To Schedule Revisions in March 2024 Include Changing Two Trains to Run Rapid Service |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/news/491770/ |website=rail.hobidas.com |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=16 January 2024 |title=JR東日本ダイヤ改正 京葉線 早朝の上り快速2本の運行継続決定 |trans-title=JR East Revises March Schedule Revision; Reinstates Rapid Service in the Morning Rush |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240116/k10014323431000.html |website=NHK News |language=ja}}

= Future plans =

There is also a concept of introducing 12-car trains with Green Car capacities, much like the current status of the Chuo Line running from Tokyo to Takao, although it is viewed as unlikely due to the cost of platform expansion.{{Needs citation|date=May 2025}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/result.aspx?mode=2&rosen=25=1=%E4%BA%AC%E8%91%89%E7%B7%9A Stations of the Keiyō Line] (JR East) {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tokyo transit}}

{{East Japan Railway Company Lines}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Keiyo Line}}

Category:Lines of East Japan Railway Company

Category:Railway lines in Chiba Prefecture

Category:Railway lines in Tokyo

Category:1067 mm gauge railways in Japan

Category:Railway lines opened in 1975