From [Tokyo Metro](https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/tips/after.html):
“Passengers are required to pass through the orange transfer gates (when exiting one line to transfer to another) at the following transfer stations: Ueno, Mitsukoshimae, Ueno-hirokoji/Naka-okachimachi, Otemachi, Ikebukuro, Iidabashi, Hibiya/Yurakucho, Awajicho/Shin-ochanomizu, Shibuya, Shinjuku-sanchome, Ningyocho/Suitengumae, Tsukiji/ Shintomicho, Ginza/Ginza-itchome, Toranomon/Toranomon-hills”.
Essentially, when you pass through the orange gates (say between Yurakucho and Hibiya), you are considered to be traveling in 1 ticket, instead of 2, so the fare is (much) cheaper. My question is, why don’t they make all gates orange in these stations? If someone doesn’t intend to transfer uses an orange gate, after 60 minutes the journey is considered complete anyway (for those using a paper ticket, they also need to buy a new one after 60 mins). And for those who intend to transfer, they (especially visitors) don’t need to find the correct gate to use. This also reduces crowding at the gate area when some passengers have to push through streams of people to get to the orange gate. A few times, I indeed got charged for a new ticket when I just followed the crowd and exited the wrong gate at Yurakucho to transfer to Hibiya.
Could it be simply because Tokyo Metro obviously gets more money when people forget to use the orange gate to transfer?
6 comments
While I can’t answer your question, you’ve answered my question I’ve always had which is why there are special orange transfer gates…
The gates essentially put a hold on the card, which may cause a problem when going to a different line? Who knows, the system can be better.
In Osaka, they made it so that all gates are transfer gates when using an IC card and you only need to use the special transfer gates if you’re using a paper ticket.
It might be because: Orange gates will push out your ticket on the other side for you to pick-up and use at the next station
Other gates will keep your ticket
Pretty sure, this only applies to passengers using paper ticket. If you use IC, it doesn’t matter which gate you use.
> Could it be simply because Tokyo Metro obviously gets more money when people forget to use the orange gate to transfer?
No, if all gates are orange, then all paper ticket passengers have to pick up their ticket on exit, regardless whether that is their final destination or not. Imagine all the gates stop working because those passengers just keep walking and leave their tickets.
One time the orange gate was under maintenance, the guy at the manned gat kept telling people it’s ok to tap the ic card on regular gate, so as someone said, it being for paper tickets would make sense.
Am I the only one who’s lived in Tokyo for years and never heard of orange ticket gates?