On March 20, the Urban Renaissance Agency (Urban Renaissance Agency) and Keio Dentetsu Bus opened the “Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu” Phase 2 (Underground A) area, which is being developed at the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station. The opening ceremony and preview were held on March 19, the day before the opening.
Phase 2 (Underground A Area) was established in the basement of Tofrom Yaesu Tower. Together with Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a total of 13 berths will be available.
This Underground A area is the basement level of the 51-story building complex TOFROM YAESU TOWER (1-6-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), and the first phase (Underground B) area, which already opened in September 2022, is under Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. The total number of berths will increase to 13 berths.
As you exit the Yaesu Central Exit of JR Tokyo Station and proceed to the Yaesu Underground Mall, the Phase 2 (Underground A) area is on the left and the Phase 1 (Underground B) area is on the right. In 2029, the third phase (underground C) area is scheduled to open in connection with the side of underground B area, and when the entire area opens, it will be one of the largest bus terminals in Japan with 20 berths for boarding and alighting.
Large signage is installed at key locations to list departure times and boarding locations. It has the feel of being at an airport. In addition, the number signs (berth numbers) for each area have been unified to “A/B/C area notation + number line” in conjunction with this opening. Please be careful not to confuse the areas when using the terminal.
The glass wall that separates the waiting area from the car corridor is covered with photographs of Japan’s seasonal natural scenery, creating a cozy space that does not feel claustrophobic in an underground environment. The waiting area is also designed to have as many chairs as possible.
A total of 283 coin-operated lockers are available. Large lockers are available for long items such as skis and snowboards, as well as for suitcases. There are also a large number of restrooms, and the private rooms are large enough to accommodate suitcases.
The waiting area for people and the bus lanes are completely separated from each other, with automatic doors providing access only when boarding and exiting. There are seven berths and two waiting areas to reduce the number of people waiting to enter the street. The bus lanes have enough space for double-decker buses and articulated buses. They are also envisioned to be used as a space for accepting people who have difficulty returning home in the event of a disaster.
The STS (Smart Terminal System), an operation system jointly developed by Keio Dentetsu Bus and Will Smart, has been introduced to the system, which utilizes the cloud to enable centralized management of information, in-premises broadcasting, and operation information from the control room. In addition to real-time berth status information, drivers can operate the control panel at the boarding and alighting areas to update signage, open automatic doors, and broadcast information.
© Source travel watch