Tokyo’s Yamanote line trains start after signal glitch causes 4-hour delay

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: The Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo was suspended for more than four hours from the first scheduled services on Monday due to a traffic signal glitch, its operator said, causing significant disruption for commuters.

By the start of services around 9 a.m., 68 trains had been canceled and 34 were late by up to 4 hours 35 minutes, affecting around 110,000 travelers, according to East Japan Railway Co.

The company said trains were unable to leave its Tokyo central rolling stock depot near Osaki Station on the line after a sign indicating an error in traffic signaling equipment at the station turned on at around 2:25 a.m. The company said it was still trying to determine the cause of the error.

Trains were operating at a reduced rate after services commenced.

Before services started, people at Shimbashi Station were seen asking station staff for information, while a handwritten sign stated that trains had been suspended.

A 29-year-old man commuting to Ebisu Station called his office to report the situation.

“I was planning to arrive early at my office but now I won’t make it to a meeting,” he said.