On January, 27th, Tokyu Railways announced that the Sotetsu-Tokyu connecting line will be completed in March, 2023.
Let's quickly review the Sotetsu-Tokyu connecting line project. Tokyu is a major private railway company in the Tokyo metropolitan area. They have a clear strategy for enhancement of competitiveness... restructuring of the railway network. Take for instance, the Meguro line. It used to be part of a local route connecting Meguro and Kamata under the name of Mekama line, but the operation totally changed in 2000. The Mekama line was split into two routes, namely the Meguro and the Tamagawa lines at Tamagawa station. All trains on the Meguro line began to operate directly onto the Tokyu-Toyoko, Tokyo Metro-Namboku and Toei-Mita lines. It has boosted the convenience for passengers. Tokyu's next move is an extension of their line network toward further south. It's a construction of the Sotetsu-Tokyu connecting line. When the new line is completed, the Tokyu trains will be directly operated onto the Sotetsu line from Hiyoshi station.
For the above project, Tokyu prepares several kinds of trains. The latest model of those is the EMU 3020 series launched in 2019. It's a sister model of the 2020 series on the Den-en-toshi line and the 6020 series on the Oimachi line. The crescent-shaped accent strikes passengers' eyes. The large cowcatcher integrated with the face also stands out conspicuously. The 3020 series has white and blue-colored stripes.
Tokyu is preparing for the direct operation onto the Sotetsu lines sufficiently enough in advance.
