Tokyo Metro and NAVITIME JAPAN Launch Japan's First 'Visualization of Seating Availability': Full-Scale Rollout of 'Seatable Route Search'

Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (President: Akihiro Kosaka; Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "Tokyo Metro") and NAVITIME JAPAN Co., Ltd. (President: Keisuke Onishi; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "NAVITIME JAPAN") will officially launch "Seatable Route Search" and "Easy-to-Sit Car Guidance" on March 30, 2026 (Monday), exclusively for paid members of the "Norikae NAVITIME" app. These features utilize "seating probability" (ease of finding a seat) estimated from vehicle data to maximize travel comfort.

*Note: "Seating probability" indicates the potential for finding a seat and does not guarantee that a seat will be available. Please refrain from "walking while using a smartphone." We ask for your cooperation in improving manners.

Tokyo Metro and NAVITIME JAPAN have been conducting trial runs of "Easy-to-Sit Car Guidance" for approximately a year and a half, verifying the accuracy of the "seating probability" data (*1).

During this trial period, we received approximately 3,800 responses to our user experience and improvement request surveys. By using this data to refine the "seating probability" calculations, we have made it possible to predict "where and for how long you can sit" with high accuracy.

Furthermore, as a new UI, we have incorporated a bar display showing the percentage and duration of potential seating time. We have also added a feature that suggests routes where you can sit for longer periods, such as "You are more likely to get a seat if you wait for the next train" or "You are more likely to get a seat if you transfer from an express train to a local train." This marks the full-scale launch of the "Seatable Route Search" service.

We are also developing new technologies to expand this service to lines other than Tokyo Metro in the future. Tokyo Metro and NAVITIME JAPAN will continue to promote initiatives aimed at providing services that lead to comfortable travel for our customers.

1. Overview of "Seatable Route Search" Features (1) Display of Potential Seating Time: A bar graph on the route search results list screen displays the expected duration (in minutes) that a passenger is likely to be able to sit during the entire journey. (2) Additional Display of Seatable Routes: If a route that allows for a longer seating time can be suggested, it will be displayed on the search results list screen (Paid members only). (3) Display of Easy-to-Sit Cars: For a selected route, the most comfortable car to sit in is displayed on the details screen (Paid members only; the potential seating time is based on using this specific car). (4) Seating Probability Display per Station: Displays the seating probability for each stop from the boarding station to the destination (Paid members only).

2. How to Use Each piece of information will be displayed when a route containing Tokyo Metro lines (*2, *3) exists in the search results. The features (2) Additional Display of Seatable Routes, (3) Display of Easy-to-Sit Cars, and (4) Seating Probability Display per Station are available to those who have downloaded "Norikae NAVITIME" and registered as paid members. Trial members of "Norikae NAVITIME" can also use these features (*4).

3. Future Outlook We are developing new technology that uses AI image recognition to collect vehicle data without the need for vehicle modifications, aiming to expand the service to lines other than Tokyo Metro.

4. Reference ■ For details on the "Seatable Route Search" feature, please check the following guide page: (https://note.com/navitime_app_tr/n/na022f41a8853)

About "Norikae NAVITIME" This is a transit navigation app specializing in transfers for public transportation, including trains, airplanes, local buses, highway buses, and ferries. You can easily search for necessary information such as nationwide timetables, operation status, easy-to-understand route maps, and boarding positions for smooth transfers. iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id528532387?mt=8 Android OS: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navitime.local.nttransfer

*1 Please refer to the joint press releases: "Start of Verification for 'Seatable Route Search' Considering 'Seating Probability'" (October 28, 2024) and "Trial Provision of 'Easy-to-Sit Car Guidance' Considering 'Seating Probability'" (January 22, 2025). *2 If you are using a commuter pass, please travel according to the route specified on your pass. If you travel via a different route, you may be required to pay an additional fare. In principle, you cannot travel via other routes, but there are some sections where you may travel via a different route regardless of the route indicated on your pass. For details on these sections, please check our website. *3 Seating probability may not be displayed for some trains, including during timetable revisions. *4 Please use the latest version of "Norikae NAVITIME."

Note: To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for as many customers as possible, Tokyo Metro provides priority seats and, on some lines and during certain hours, women-only cars. When boarding, please follow the guidance posted on station platforms and in train cars and cooperate with our priority seat and women-only car initiatives. Note: The vehicle data and app-related data used in this initiative do not contain any personally identifiable information. "NAVITIME" is a trademark or registered trademark of NAVITIME JAPAN Co., Ltd. Other company names and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.