Atarashima Rapid Transit System

Atarashima Rapid Transit System (ARTS) or formally known as Atarashima MRT is the rapid transit metro and tram system in Atarashima. The ARTS began operating in 1980 as an increase in public transportation demand grew. The network has since grown radially and rapidly in accordance with Atarashima's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in Atarashima.

The ARTS network has 182 stations with 195.9 km of lines in operation, on standard gauge. The rapid transit system is accompanied by a tram line in Higashikaigan which connects between Tri City ARTS Station and Kagyoma Park ARTS Station. Services operate from about 5 am and usually end before 2 am. There are daily intervals of approximately two to eight minutes, and services extended during festive periods such as Chinese New Year.

Fleet
There are a total of 7 trains in the ARTS fleet all serving for the 14 lines. They are each named by a letter starting from A to F, C being the only one with 2 different types.

Smoking and chewing gum is forbidden in the entire metro system, while eating, drinking and drinking is forbidden at all stations along the Peninsula Link.

Stations become extremely crowded during peak hours, especially at interchange stations such as Central Station, Downtown Station, Newport Station and Tri City Station. Automated station announcements are recorded in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Lines and stations
There are a total of 14 lines (Bay Line, Port Line, Village Line, Harbour Line, Yukeo Line, Downtown Line, Shimizu Line, Hills Line, Peninsula Link, Cross City Link, Tri City Line, Kagyoma Metro and Airport Express. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of 182 stations. ARTS stations include: station, terminus station, and interchange station.

Ticketing


ARTS currently utilises the TransCard ticketing system which is a contactless smartcard ticketing system which is used in all networks owned by TransAta in Atarashima.

Stations
The entirety of the ARTS is elevated or underground. Most below-ground stations are deep and hardened enough to withstand conventional aerial bomb attacks and to serve as bomb shelters. Mobile phone service is available in and between all stations on the entire ARTS network with the exclusion of the Hills Line. All the stations and the train themselves are fully air-conditioned.

All stations have been designed or renovated to have accessibility facilities, such as lifts, ramps, tactile guidance systems (Braille tactiles on the floor surface), wider fare gates, or toilets for passengers with disabilities.

Platforms
Most stations on high-capacity lines have island platform configurations while a few have side platform configurations, and vice versa for medium-capacity lines.

Each station is equipped with LED displays and LCD TVs both in the concourse and on the platforms which display the time of arrival of the next train. At all underground stations, red lights along the platform edge (or on automatic platform gates at stations where they are installed) flash one minute prior to train arrival to alert passengers, a tune is also played at interchange stations.

Shopping centers
In addition to the rapid transit system itself, the ARTS operates several public facilities such as underground shopping malls, parks, and public squares in and around stations, including:
 * Central City Underground Mall
 * Atader Central Station
 * Minato Mall
 * Mall of Atarashima Station Mall
 * Vivo Underground Mall

Public art
In the initial network, important stations such as interchange stations, terminus stations, and stations with heavy passenger flow were chosen for the installation of public art. The principles behind the locations of public art were visual focus and non-interference with passenger circulation and construction schedules. The artworks included murals, children's mosaic collages, sculptures, hung forms, spatial art, interactive art, and window displays. The selection methods included open competitions, invitational competitions, direct assignments, and cooperation with children.

History
The ARTS is one of the most expensive and extensive construction in Atarashima with many tunnels having to be built to cross Atarashima Harbour and Atarashima River.

Initial proposal
The idea of constructing a metro was first put up as an alternative to the overcrowding Yukio Railway system which was also not reliable. In 1970, TransAta was formed to put up a report for the construction of a metro system. The first line was completed in 1980 after 8 years, Cross City Link eased the overcrowding on the Yukio Railway. However another line was needed to ease the overcrowding by half. The Village Line was completed in 1986 and eased the overcrowding on the Yukio Railway by more than half.

2000 ARTS Plan
It was planned that by 2000, 3 new lines would be built to serve all of Atarashima. This included: East-West Line, North-South Line and Circle Line. The plan was not liked by many residents as it would serve for areas which don't need an ARTS line.

By 2000, 3 new lines which were not like the 2000 ARTS Plan were completed. The Bay Line, Causeway Link and Port Line served much of the areas needing an ARTS Line.

Present system
Today there are a total of 14 lines serving for Atarashima. Extensions of current ARTS lines and new lines are currently under planning as well.

In 2003, 4 lines including: Downtown Line, Hills Line, Port Line and Tri City Line all operate driverless operated trains.

Causeway, Port and Yukeo Merger
The merger is a proposed merging of Causeway Link, Port Line and Yukeo Line to form 1 long loop line serving for a few districts. It would be renamed as the District Line.

Impact
Despite earlier controversy, by the time there were 4 lines completed in 2000, it was generally agreed that the rapid transit project was a success and has since become an essential part of life in Atarashima. The system has been effective in reducing traffic congestion in the city and the Yukio Railway.