Shonan Monorail

Infobox Public transit
name=Shonan Monorail


imagesize=250px
locale=Kanagawa prefecture
transit_type=suspended monorail
system_length=6.6 km
began_operation=March 7 1970
lines=1
stations=8
ridership=
operator=Shonan Monorail Co., Ltd.|

The nihongo|Shonan Monorail|湘南モノレール|Shōnan Monorēru is a suspended SAFEGE monorail located in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan.citeweb|title=Shonan Monorail Photo Essay - page one|url=http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/Shonan2003a.html|accessdate=2007-09-02|format=html] , operated by nihongo|Shonan Monorail Co., Ltd.|湘南モノレール株式会社|Shōnan Monorēru Kabushiki-gaisha, the line opened March 7 1970, and was the first monorail of its kind in Japan.citeweb|title=Shonan Monorail-Stations|url=http://hisaai-hp.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Shonan/01_s_eg.html|accessdate=2007-09-02|format=html]

Nihongo|Enoshima Line|江ノ島線|-sen travels 6.6 km (4.1 miles) every 7-8 minutes between Ōfuna Station and Enoshima, making 6 stops. The average length of a single trip is 13 minutes. [citeweb|title=Sarukoen 猿公園: July 2007 Archives|url=http://www.sarukoen.com/archives/2007/07/index.htm|accessdate=2007-09-02|format=html]

As the line is located within commuting distance of Tokyo, it is an important means of transportation for local residents. [citeweb|title=Shonan and Enoden|url=http://www.japaneserailwaysociety.com/hiroshi/eno/shonan.htm|accessdate=2007-09-02|format=html]

History

The Shonan Monorail was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The line opened March 7, 1970 between Ōfuna and Nishi-Kamakura, and was the first monorail of its kind in Japan. The rest of the line opened on July 2, 1971.citeweb|title=Shonan Monorail-Stations|url=http://hisaai-hp.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Shonan/01_s_eg.html|accessdate=2007-09-02|format=html]

tations

*Ōfuna Station
*Fujimichō Station
*Shōnan-Machiya Station
*Shōnan-Fukusawa Station
*Nishi-Kamakura Station
*Kataseyama Station
*Mejiro-Yamashita Station
*Shōnan-Enoshima Station

References

ee also

* Monorails in Japan
* List of rapid transit systems

External links

* [http://www.shonan-monorail.co.jp/ Company website (in Japanese)]