Everyone has their preferred way of traveling to their destination.
In Japan, the most popular way is by train, whether it’s the subway or shinkansen. In San Marcos and Austin, people prefer car rides. As Texas State University students, we are given several different modes of transportation to and on campus (walking, TXST shuttle buses, cars and bikes). Japan has all of the listed ways to travel, but the big difference is preference and experience.
According to many articles and SJMC Japan students, the preferred way to get around in Tokyo is the subway. The intricate web of the Tokyo subway system proves to be quite baffling to many, including electronic media freshman Evan Luna.
“It can be very confusing, but it’s really easy once you learn what it means,” he said.
Tokyo has everything San Marcos does in terms of getting around; however, San Marcos doesn’t have a subway system.
San Marcos’ lack of an underground travel system puts it at a disadvantage. With Texas State parking getting worse every year, car drivers are having more issues finding parking. According to Tokyo Metro, subway fares range from 180 yen ($1.13 USD) to 330 yen ($2.08 USD) per trip. At this time, the national average is $4.19 USD per gallon (about 666 yen).
When using the subway station in Tokyo, people must have metro card such as a Suica smartcar, which allows access to the station. At most stations, there is a vending machines that allow users to add more money to the card. Every student was given a Suica card, and several were able to put it in their smartphone via Apple Wallet.
In order to be on the subway, riders must first tap their Suica card at the gates. Sometimes, if the card is not read properly, the gate will turn red, and bars will come out to block people from entering.
My experience with the subway is love-hate. I love getting to my destination quickly and affordably, but I hate the confusing pathways to get to my train. As a Texas State student and San Marcos resident, the most similar thing to the subway would be the university shuttles. They’re free and get you to, from and around campus within a decent amount of time, usually. The trains come on a schedule, versus the buses that come whenever, and that happens to be many students’ concern with the university transportation system.
I conducted an informal survey with the SJMC Japan students on their preferred transportation, and many fancy the trains in Tokyo more than the campus bus system. The average rating for the university buses was a 6.8 out of 10 and for the trains was an 8.3 out of 10 based on satisfaction.
There were a plethora of issues students have with the transportation and accommodations provided by the school, the main one being buses not arriving on schedule.
In Tokyo, the trains have a very strict schedule of when they arrive and depart. Compare that to campus, and it’s not exactly the same. It’s very often that the buses trail each other, leaving people at other stops, waiting for a longer amount of time.
Now, the Tokyo train station has more means to be the way that they are given the amount of money supplied to the efficiency of the subway system, compared to Texas State. With that being said, students do have the right to feel that way.
Taking the subway in Tokyo was the most reliable way of getting around the city. With a variety of different lines and stops, it truly is in a league of its own.
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