Osaka Metro Co. issued an apology on August 14th for the disruption caused to visitors of the Osaka Expo due to train service suspensions the previous evening. The head of the company's traffic business headquarters expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to Expo attendees and related parties.
The service interruption affected the Chuo Line, which provides access to Yumeshima Station, the closest station to the Expo site. The suspension began on the night of August 13th and impacted all sections of the line. Services were fully restored the following morning.
The cause of the outage was attributed to power failures affecting the "third rail" that powers the trains. The railway operator is investigating the cause, suspecting that iron powder and moisture on a sheet covering rail joints may have caused the problem.
The Chuo Line is the only railway connection to Yumeshima, the artificial island hosting the Expo. The suspension of services between Yumeshima and Nagata stations left many people stranded, including families visiting the Expo during the Bon holiday season.
Limited service between Yumeshima Station and Cosmosquare Station was briefly restored, but the influx of people trying to leave the Expo caused further operational suspensions. Cosmosquare Station became overcrowded, with long queues for taxis.
One family, including a 61-year-old woman and her grandchildren, experienced a three-hour wait at Yumeshima Station. The children were distressed, and the family was exhausted.
To manage the crowds, the automated New Tram services connecting to Suminoekoen Station were increased. The Expo organizers took emergency measures, allowing visitors to remain within the venue by opening a gate near the station. Many people were seen resting near the gate, unable to find transportation home.
The Osaka Municipal Fire Department received numerous emergency calls from the Expo site and surrounding areas after the Chuo Line suspension, primarily related to complaints of illness and suspected heatstroke.
5 Comments
Eugene Alta
This is embarrassing for Osaka. They should be ashamed of how they handled the Expo transport.
Loubianka
It's impressive how they adapted to the situation and prioritized the safety of Expo visitors. Thank you!
BuggaBoom
Thank you to the Expo organizers for allowing visitors to stay safely until transport was restored!
Habibi
It's a learning opportunity for Osaka Metro. We should support them in improving service moving forward.
Michelangelo
The management at Osaka Metro is taking this seriously, and that’s what matters in the end.