Tokyo train adding family-only cars to evening commuter express in March

Test program reserves space for parents traveling with kids, would possibly mean fewer crying babies on adult-accessible carriages.

Japanese commuter trains have had women-only cars for a while now, primarily to reduce the chance of gropers taking advantage of the crowded conditions to cop a feel on female passengers. Recently, the idea of men-only cars has been floating around, though in their case the rationale is murkier.

Now, though, the S-Train, which connects Tokyo with neighboring Saitama Prefecture, has decided to test a previously unexplored concept with family-only cars.

For two days in March, the six o’clock S-Train that departs Tokyo’s Toyosu Station at 6 p.m. will have two of its 10 cars designated as family-only. The train will make stops at Yurakucho and Idabashi Stations on the Yurakucho subway line before transitioning directly to the Seibu Ikebukuro above-ground train line and stopping at Shakujikoen, Hoya, and finally Tokorozawa Station, reaching its final destination at 6:57.

To qualify as a family, adult passengers must be accompanied by at least one child of elementary school age or younger, which with Japan’s school system would mean a maximum of 12 years old. If your kids are older than that, it’s apparently time for them, and you, to deal with the realities of adult train life.

Oddly enough, the family-only cars will only be offered on March 28 and 29, which are a Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. This is to coincide with the Family Future Festa education and entertainment expo, which is taking place at Tokyo International Forum, which is located next to Yurakucho Station. While the idea of providing family-accommodating rail travel during a family-focused event makes sense on the surface, it’s debatable how many parents will have the time, energy or desire to pick their kids up after school gets out in the afternoon, make their way into downtown Tokyo, then be at the station and ready to head home by 6 o’clock. Still, if the response is positive enough, we might see the S-Train, on which all seats must be reserved in advance, make family-only cars a regular part of their trains during weekends, holidays, or school vacation periods.

Related: S-Train, Family Future Fest
Source: IT Media
Top image: Wikipedia/DAJF

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