Okayama Electric Tramway
[Image:Okaden_Okayamaekimae_eki.JPG|thumb|Okayama-Ekimae Station.]
Okayama Electric Tramway is a transportation company in Okayama City, Chūgoku, Japan. The private company operates tram lines and bus lines. The company and its lines are officially abbreviated as Okaden.
The company was founded in 1910, while its first tram line was opened in 1912. This is one of the few Japanese railway operators that maintained their original corporation names from the foundation in Meiji Period. The company is a core member of the Ryōbi Group, another core member being Ryōbi Bus. From October 1, 2006, together with Ryōbi Bus and Okayama bus company Shimotsui Dentetsu, Okaden introduced Hareca, a smart card ticketing system accepted on trams and buses in Okayama. Okaden also accepts the 10 Nationwide IC Cards including PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica and PASMO.
Tram lines
At just 4.7 km long, Okaden's tram system is the shortest in Japan.Lines
† Excludes 3 stations listed on Higashiyama Line.‡ Seikibashi Line is officially Yanagawa — Seikibashi only, though all services continue on the Higashiyama Line to/from Okayama-Ekimae.
- Excludes temporary stop Kyobashi Iryujo :ja:京橋停留場| which is only used on specific days. It is not listed in company maps/timetables/etc.
Services
, trams operate at the following frequencies:Higashiyama Line has running time of 16-24 minutes, operating between approx. 06:00 and 22:00 every day.
Seikibashi Line has running time of 13-18 minutes, operating between approx 06:30 and 21:30 every day.
Fares
, Fares are ¥120 or ¥140 dependent on distance travelled.1-day passes costing ¥400 are available onboard trams, at sales outlets or by using the RYDE PASS smartphone app.
Fares can be paid for using cash, any of the 10 Nationwide Mutual Usage Service IC Cards or Hareca card. Commuter and student passes are also available.
Chuggington Tram
Since March 16, 2019, Okaden operates a special tramcar representing Wilson and Brewster from Chuggington, a British animated children's TV series. Built by Niigata Transys in 2018, it is a low-floor articulated tram based on the design of the existing but with extensive modifications including fibreglass mouldings to represent a locomotive, raised driving position & driver's windows and custom-shaped windows. Designed by Eiji Mitooka, the tram interior features childrens play areas, special seating and video screens playing Chuggington videos.Chuggington Tram operates similar to a tourist train, with tickets sold for a designated tour travelling on both of the company's tram lines. Ticket information is available at the website. Tours commence at Okayama Ekimae and terminate at Higashiyama, adjacent to the Okaden Chuggington Museum. Tour tickets include entry to Okaden Chuggington Museum as well as a 1-day tram pass.
Chuggington Tram only operates specified tours and does not operate any regular passenger services.