Tokyo Metro Plans Fare Increase; Earliest Implementation Expected March 2028

Tokyo Metro Co. President Akihiro Kosaka stated at a financial results press conference yesterday that the company is considering raising fares from March 2028 onwards to raise funds for equipment investment. According to reports from TBS and Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo Metro explained that the potential hike is also a response to rising labor and material costs. The additional revenue would be directed towards safety measures, such as repairing railway equipment. Kosaka emphasized that this move is 'to build a foundation for medium-to-long-term growth.' As the change requires approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the implementation is set for March 2028 at the earliest. Tokyo Metro previously raised all fares by 10 yen in March 2023 to promote barrier-free stations. Other railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area have already implemented hikes, with JR East and Seibu Railway raising fares by an average of 7.1% and 10.7%, respectively, this March.