A Representative AGT Route Pattern: The “Connector Line”

When people think of Automated

Guideway Transit (AGT), they often

focus on its quiet operation or flexible

service. But the layout of AGT routes is

also worth noting. One especially

important pattern is the “connector

line”—AGT routes that link two different

conventional railway lines. These lines

serve as vital links, filling in the

transportation gaps between existing

rail networks.

A prime example is the Newtram Line in

Osaka. This 7.9-kilometer, 10-station

route connects Cosmosquare Station

on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line with

Suminoekoen Station on the

Yotsubashi Line. It runs through the

coastal residential and business

districts, carrying about 74,000

passengers daily.

In the Tokyo–Saitama area, the Seibu

Yamaguchi Line (Leo Liner) serves a

similar role. Though just 2.8 kilometers

llong with three stations, it connects

Tamako Station on the Seibu Tamako

Line with Seibukyujomae Station on the

Sayama Line. It plays a key role in

providing access to the Sayama Hills

and the Seibu Dome area.

The Yokohama Seaside Line also

functions as a connector. Running

10.8 kilometers with 14 stations, it links

JR’s Shin-Sugita Station (on the

Keihin-Tohoku Line) with Kanazawa-

Hakkei Station on the Keikyu Line. This

AGT supports daily life and business in

the bay area and serves around

52,000 passengers a day.

And in Tokyo’s waterfront area, the

Yurikamome Line connects Shimbashi

Station with Toyosu Station on the

Yurakucho Line. Spanning 14.7

kilometers and 16 stations, this route

supports tourism, office commuting, and

residential access. It is one of the

busiest AGT lines, with over 130,000

daily riders.

All of these connector lines share a

common role: they link major rail

terminals while unlocking the potential

of the areas in between. By providing

transportation in zones that

conventional rail cannot easily cover,

AGT systems help elevate the value of

entire districts. In this way, AGT serves

not just as a mode of transit, but as a

quiet powerhouse that connects cities,

stations, and communities.