and the remainder opened in stages until its completion in 1969. Through service with the then Japanese National Railways (today part of the JR Group) – a first for a Tokyo subway line – began in 1969 connecting the Chūō and Sōbu lines. This is a rare situation in Tokyo, as the only other subway line with through services onto JR lines is the Chiyoda Line. The Tōyō Rapid Railway Line, effectively an eastward extension of the line, opened in 1996. It nevertheless remains a private entity to which the Tōzai lines offers through services. Chronology March 16, 1966: The line is extended at both ends. It now runs between Nakano and Takebashi. April 28, 1966: Through service to the Chūō Line of JNR commences as far as Ogikubo. October 1, 1966: Takebashi to Ōtemachi section opens. September 14, 1967: Ōtemachi to Tōyōchō section opens. March 29, 1969: Tōyōchō to Nishi-Funabashi section opens and Rapid service begins (non-stop between Tōyōchō and Nishi-Funabashi). April 8, 1969: Through service on the Chūō Line is extended to Mitaka, and through service begins on the Sōbu line to Tsudanuma. April 8, 1972: Through service on the Sōbu Line is withdrawn except during rush hours. 1975: Another type of Rapid service is introduced, calling at Urayasu between Tōyōchō and Nishi-Funabashi. October 1, 1979: Nishi-Kasai station opens. March 27, 1981: Minami-Gyōtoku station opens. 1986: Commuter Rapid service is introduced, running non-stop between Urayasu and Nishi-Funabashi. (April 1, 1987: JNR is privatised. The Chūō and Sōbu lines become the property of JR East.) 1996: The Rapid service that runs non-stop between Tōyōchō and Nishi-Funabashi ceases. April 27, 1996: Tōyō Rapid Line opens between Nishi-Funabashi and Tōyō-Katsutadai. Through service begins. January 22, 2000: Myōden station opens. April 1, 2004: Teito Rapid Transit Authority (TRTA or Eidan) becomes Tokyo Metro. November 20, 2006: Women-only cars are introduced during morning rush hours. Services The Tōzai Line was the first Tokyo Metro line on which express services run: two types of rapid trains skip some stations east of Toyocho. The Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line began services on June 14, 2008 and also features express services. Through services to via the JR East Chūō Line and via the Tōyō Rapid Railway run all day. During the morning and evening peak periods, through services run to via the JR East Sōbu Line. Station list Local trains stop at every station. Rapid trains stop