Amidakuji Running

I am impressed by the way the Odakyu Line uses its quadruple tracks at the Tokyo end, as it is truly a perfect example of making full use of quadruple tracks.

Morning Inbound

During the morning rush hour, the service consists of five types: Rapid Express, Commuter Express, Commuter Semi-Express, and two types of Local trains (those bound for the Chiyoda Line and those bound for Shinjuku). Naturally, trains with the "Commuter" prefix only operate during commuting hours. One of them, the "Commuter Semi-Express," is interesting. Introducing it from Noborito on the inbound line, first, at Noborito, it enters the local track. Here, it departs at the same time as the Rapid Express. The next stop is Seijogakuen-mae, where it enters the express track just before the station. Then, it connects with the Local train bound for Shinjuku running in front of it. From here, it speeds along the express track. At the next station, Kyodo, it switches back to the local track just before the station. Then, it makes a local-express connection with the Local train bound for the Chiyoda Line running in front of it. In the meantime, it is almost caught up by the next Rapid Express, but they run almost side-by-side as they enter the underground section around Shimokitazawa. This area has a two-level structure where the express tracks run deep underground and the local tracks run shallower. Toward Yoyogi-Uehara, the inbound and outbound express tracks separate, with the local tracks sandwiched in between. The Commuter Semi-Express and the Rapid Express arrive at Yoyogi-Uehara at almost the same time, and after passengers transfer between them, the Commuter Semi-Express heads to the Chiyoda Line and the Rapid Express heads to Shinjuku. Immediately after this at Yoyogi-Uehara, a Commuter Express arrives and departs on the express track, while a Chiyoda Line train originating from this station arrives and departs on the local track.

Congestion Relief

As for the congestion situation, since it is the morning rush hour, there are naturally many passengers. And when the Commuter Semi-Express and the Rapid Express arrive at Yoyogi-Uehara at the same time, the number of people becomes incredible as passengers transferring between them intermingle.

However, with the recent progress of remote work, the congestion situation has been changing. In particular, cars away from the entrances and exits seem to be emptier than before. I have even seen the women-only car, which is set at the very back of the express trains, depart from Yoyogi-Uehara with only a few standing passengers.

Summary

From major stations west of Machida toward the city center, the "Rapid Express" every 5 minutes is the only choice. For Shin-Yurigaoka, the "Commuter Express" is added to this. For Noborito, if you want speed, the "Rapid Express" is the only choice, but if you don't mind being caught by the "Rapid Express" five minutes later, there is also the option of the "Commuter Semi-Express." It is much emptier than the Rapid Express at the time it leaves Noborito, after all. For Seijogakuen-mae, the choice is between the "Commuter Express" and the "Commuter Semi-Express." Combined, they run about every 5 minutes. For Kyodo, since the city center is already very close, it is either the "Commuter Semi-Express" or the "Local." It is brilliant that the train types are divided like this depending on the boarding station. I think this contributes to the dispersion of passengers.

However, in the future, general trains might decrease further, and Romancecars might increase...