New train cars with improved comfort and safety will be introduced on two subway lines in fall 2024, making them Japan’s first subway carriages to have onboard security cameras.
The Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau will introduce the 4000-series cars on the Airport and Hakozaki subway lines in their first train updates since 1997. The cars will have security cameras capable of being remotely monitored to respond to any incidents.
At a cost of around 1.2 billion yen (approx. $8.5 million) each, 18 new six-car trains will replace the older 1000N-series ones that have been in operation since 1981. Their exteriors maintain the same blue line motif, now sporting central sky-blue stripes representing the city’s airport.
Each of the newer trains’ car No. 6 will feature spaces for passengers with wheelchairs or baby carriages. Improvements have been made for comfort, such as seat width set at 48 centimeters — the widest among all commuter trains in Japan. In a reported national first for a subway system, four security cameras will be installed in each car, with footage viewable by the train conductors and others.
At a Nov. 30 press conference, Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima commented, “While incorporating elements suiting this era, we hope the new trains will be well-loved for a long time.”
