Toyama Light Rail is the Japanese first LRT. Toyama Light Rail opened in 2006, it's 30 years ago since opening of world first LRT in Edmonton.
Line length is 7.6km with 1.1km on-street running section. Before 2006, This line was inactivity heavy rail line without on-street running. Train frequency was 1-2 trains / 2h in daytime. Since 2006, 4 trains are available per hour. Modern low-floor trams were launched at 2006.
In addition, many methods for success were introduced. Design of trams and tram stops are well. Easy transfer between tram and bus is provided at Hasumachi and Iwasehama stop.
More important points are 2 things.
One is that infrastructure is built and maintained by public money, and operator of trams is private company. In Europe and America, building and maintenance of urban public transport by public money is not strange. However, many Japanese citizens and politicians believe that railway should be profitable(but huge investment for roads is allowed!). Toyama Light Rail was epoch-making project.
One is that Transit Oriented Development is planned by Toyama city. Many Japanese cities are plagued by the doughnut phenomenon, downtown's decline and decline of public transport. Toyama city induces development along tram, rail, and bus lines.
Type TLR0600 Iwasehama -> Toyama ekikita(Toyama station north side)
Type TLR0600 is Adtranz/Niigata Transys GT4N-ZR with Incentro body. Most electronic equipments was made in Japan.
Image on top : Iwasehama stop