TRTA 03 series

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The 03 series was introduced to Hibiya Line, where a modernisation programme had been carried out. Number of passengers on Hibiya Line was increasing, while existing trainsets (3000 series, in service: 1961-94) were unpopular among commuters because of lack of air conditioning. Teito Rapid Transit Authority (also known as Eidan) designed the 03 series based on 05 series.

Each unit of the 03 series is formed of eight coaches with three sets of doors per carriage. However, to ease congestion, TRTA later introduced some carriages with five sets of doors. All units were compatible with requirements set by both Tobu and Tokyu, as the 03 series trains were used for through-services as well.

There were 42 eight-carriage units in total, though a front carriage was scrapped after Naka-Meguro train disaster in 2000 that killed five passengers. All units were replaced with 13000 series by 2020.

Some 03 series carriages were resold to Hokuriku Rail Road, Kumamoto Electric Railway and Nagano Electric Railway (Nagaden).

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Hokuriku Rail Road is going to introduce five two-car units to Asanogawa Line by 2024, and three of them have already been in service. Kumamoto Electric Railway has three two-car units used on the entire network. Nagano Electric Railway has five three-car units, renamed them 3000 series and uses on the entire Nagano Line.

Photo

Some trainsets had five-door carriages.