Government - Success Stories - Tokyo Metro

Glimpses of Tokyo Metro, including trains crossing bridges, daily operations, and maintenance work.

Tokyo Metro, Japan

Keeping Tokyo in motion. With iPad and iPhone.

In the heart of one of the world's most dynamic cities, Tokyo Metro is an integral part of its infrastructure, keeping Tokyo connected and flowing smoothly. Moving over 6.5 million riders daily, it's a testament to precision, efficiency, and a relentless commitment to keeping the city in motion.

180 stations
2.5B riders per year
7.5K iPad devices

Safety and exceptional service underpin Tokyo Metro’s commitment to connecting the city of Tokyo. Efficiency. Reliability. Innovation. These aren't just words — they’re the core values that define the Tokyo Metro. And to uphold these values, along with the commitment to continuously improve operations, they’ve turned to Apple.

With safety being of the utmost importance, the tunnel maintenance teams are now equipped with iPad, transforming how they work. Inspection crews rely on iPad and a custom app to meticulously check the tunnels for defects and record the results in real-time, without the need for paper reports or cameras. Observation notes and photos are now seamlessly tied together with iPad. Once the inspection is complete, the field data is automatically transmitted from their iPad to a database and immediately shared with all related parties, eliminating manual data entry and reducing office work by 80% — allowing repair planning to start without delay.

“By having an iPad as a partner, employees can increase their abilities and use the latest technologies in order to operate the trains safely.”
Tokyo Metro

On the iconic Marunouchi Line, every driver is equipped with an individually-assigned iPad. Gone are the days of shared computers and potentially missed bulletins of critical importance. Now, essential updates and real-time information are delivered directly and seamlessly. Custom-built apps manage schedule adjustments, ensuring on-time performance. And with instant access to multilingual announcement tools, drivers can connect with riders from around the globe, in the event of an emergency or safety-related incident.

“iPhone helps our staff care for every rider. With the app, we can coordinate support at each station so people with disabilities have a smooth journey. And with translation built in, we can welcome international visitors with confidence.”
Takuji Nomachi,
Director, Station Operations Department, Railway Headquarters

And for the station staff, assisting all riders, especially those with disabilities, is a critical responsibility. Previously, helping those with special requirements involved a manual, paper-based process, prone to delays, that ultimately increased wait times for all riders onboard. Today, iPhone has revolutionized this experience. With a simple QR code scan, staff can instantly alert the destination station about an incoming rider’s car and door location, ensuring seamless assistance on arrival. Translation apps also help to break down language barriers, empowering staff to connect with a diverse ridership and provide exceptional service.

By embracing Apple technology, the Tokyo Metro isn’t just maintaining its world-class standards — it's raising the bar. From empowering drivers and streamlining assistance for riders with disabilities, to revolutionizing tunnel maintenance, Apple technology is helping the Tokyo Metro stay one step ahead, ensuring that Tokyo keeps moving, smoothly and efficiently, into the future.

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