Faster and cheaper, Narita Sky Access route debuts with sleek new trains

A new express train route that connects downtown Tokyo and Narita International Airport in just 36 minutes began operating Saturday.

Trains on the Narita Sky Access line, developed by Keisei Electric Railway Co., zip along at up to 160 kph, covering the distance between Nippori Station and the airport 15 minutes faster than the company's current main line.

The top speed ties that of the fastest conventional train in Japan.

It also makes train access to Narita comparable to that of the world's major cities, such as JFK airport in New York, where trains take passengers to downtown Manhattan in 35 minutes. In Paris, the distance from Charles de Gaulle airport to downtown by rail takes 29 minutes, while trains from Singapore's Changi airport bring passengers downtown in 27 minutes.

Also Saturday, Keisei introduced a new model of the Skyliner express train with a sleek design created by fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto in his first train design project.

The designer said he was inspired by Japan's indigo dye traditions in choosing the train's exterior shades of blue and white.

The new Skyliner is less expensive to ride than the Narita Express (NEX) operated by East Japan Railway Co.

A one-way fare from JR Tokyo Station to Nippori Station and then to Narita Airport Terminal 2 totals 2,550 yen ($29.50), cheaper than the JR NEX fare of 2,940 yen.

The JR NEX travels directly to Narita from Tokyo Station, however.

Satoshi Seino, JR East president, said, "The strength of our NEX lies in the fact that it connects the airport and major city centers of the metropolis directly."